PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The first "presumtive case" of coronavirus has been confirmed in a patient in Rhode Island. Here's what we know so far.
- A person in their 40s in Rhode Island is now New England's first "presumptive case" of the virus.
- The person returned from a trip to Italy in mid-February, where the number of coronavirus cases has been quickly rising. So far there is no information on which flight the patients was on or what airport they went through.
- The person's immediate family has been self-quarantining at home and will continue to do so for 14 days.
(Photo: Getty Images)
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is working to identify other passengers and crew who were on the person's flight from Italy to the U.S. in mid-February.
- According to a news release from the Rhode Island Department of Public Health, as long as anyone who was exposed to the patient does not experience symptoms outside their home, the virus cannot spread to the community.
- The Rhode Island DPH Director, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, says the department has been preparing for the coronavirus, adding "we fully anticipated having a first case of COVID-19."
- More information is expected in a news conference with Alexander-Scott and Gov. Gina Riamando at 11:45 a.m.
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