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Travel Warnings Intensify As First U.S. Coronavirus Patient Confirmed

CDC and Washington state health officials told reporters the first U.S. patient is a 30-year-old man from Washington state north of Seattle.

By: Lindsey Theis

Posted at 5:45 PM, Jan 21, 2020

and last updated 2020-01-21 17:45:53-05

The CDC is intensifying travel warnings as the first U.S. patient with coronavirus is confirmed. CDC and Washington state health officials told reporters the first U.S. patient is a 30-year-old man from Washington state north of Seattle.

He was traveling to China and returned home on a non direct flight to Seattle from Wuhan, China. He contacted medical officials before travel screenings went in to place this Sunday. Washington health officials say the man is in good health, and they’re currently tracing his contacts backwards through Seattle and China.

So far, coronavirus has killed at least 6 people in China and sickened 300 more worldwide. It's a respiratory infection, similar to SARS and MERS. It can spread from person to person, but experts aren't sure how easily it's transmitted.

The CDC is upping screenings in airports in Chicago and Atlanta. JFK, LAX, and San Francisco International Airport already have screenings in place. The CDC says older adults and people with underlying health conditions may be more at risk.

They’re also recommending travelers to Wuhan, China, avoid contact with sick people, animals, and animal markets.