A resident of the City of Fairfax is "presumptive positive" for the novel coronavirus that has sickened thousands worldwide, bringing the state's case total to two, Virginia health officials say.
Officials announced the second case in the state on Sunday morning. The first was a U.S. Marine at Fort Belvoir in Northern Virginia.
The second patient is a man in his 80s who traveled on a similar Nile river cruise as other coronavirus patients who live in Montgomery County, Maryland.
The patient began to develop respiratory symptoms Feb. 28, state health officials said. He was hospitalized March 5 and remains in stable condition, health officials said.
The man had limited contact after developing symptoms, health officials said. Health officials are coordinating to determine who he may have had contact with and say they will work with people who may have been exposed.
There are no known exposures of school-age children, officials said.
This is one of eight cases in the Washington, D.C., area. Here are the latest numbers.
A Loudoun County firefighter self-quarantined after having contact with someone outside the county who later tested positive for the coronavirus. The firefighter has no symptoms.
Health officials said they are working around the clock to limit the impact of the disease. So far, there is a low risk to the community as both patients appear to have contracted the virus while traveling.
Virginia state labs have two kits, each of which can test between 150 to 200 potential patients, said Dr. Denise Toney, director of the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, the State Laboratory for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Officials say basic precautionary measures are the best way to prevent the spread of disease. Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds, cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue and stay home if you are sick.
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