Global Health Emergency Issued For Coronavirus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the first person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus in Illinois. The patient is the husband of one of the already confirmed cases in the United States. This will be the sixth confirmed case in the U.S. and the second in Illinois.
“Given what we’ve seen in China and in other countries with the novel coronavirus, CDC experts have expected some person-to-person spread in the U.S,” said CDC Director R. Redfield, M.D. “We understand that this may be concerning, but based on what we know now, we still believe the immediate risk to the American public is low.” The CDC is working closely with Illinois health officials to determine whether this virus has potentially spread even further. Officials also stated that it is likely more cases will be reported within weeks, including more person-to-person spread.
Today, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global health emergency. “The only way we will defeat this outbreak is for all countries to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. We are all in this together, and we can only stop it together.” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros said.
-Ashley W
