'Multiple' Maricopa County residents tested for new coronavirus, but only 1 case confirmed
Stephanie Innes
Multiple Maricopa County residents have been tested for a new coronavirus, but just one case has been confirmed in a patient who is "mildly ill," county health officials say.
The case, which was confirmed Sunday, is in a person who is a member of the Arizona State University community, is under the age of 60 and does not have underlying health conditions, said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for disease control at the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
County officials did not disclose any other details about the patient.
The patient is in isolation and is not hospitalized, said Jessica Rigler, assistant director of public health preparedness for the Arizona Department of Health Services.
The Arizona case is one of five confirmed in four states since last week.
"It's incredibly likely that we will see additional cases in the United States in the coming days and weeks," Rigler said. "I can't say with any kind of certainty whether we'll see additional cases popping up in Arizona or not. But it wouldn't be shocking, given that international travel is frequent."
At this time, the risk to the general public is considered to be low, she said, citing information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"There's a lot of information that the CDC and public health is learning about this disease as we go," she said.
At the moment it appears that seasonal influenza in Arizona has a much higher level of severity, hospitalization and death than the 2019 novel coronavirus, Rigler said. But that could change as public health officials learn more about it, she said.
The best ways to protect yourself from the new coronavirus are the same precautions health officials advise for flu prevention:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
It's not necessary right now for the general public to wear a respirator or mask in public, Sunenshine said.
"The best way to prevent all respiratory viral diseases is to wash your hands with soap and water often, avoid touching your mouth and nose, and staying away from ill persons," she said.
"We are all at much greater risk of getting influenza than 2019 novel coronavirus. However, we recognize that any time a novel illness is identified, there are a lot of unknowns, which naturally causes concern."
Reach the reporter at Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. Follow her on Twitter @stephanieinnes.