CDC reports first U.S. case of novel coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed the first U.S. case of 2019 novel coronavirus, which was first detected in China in December. The patient recently returned to Washington state from Wuhan, the site of the Chinese outbreak. The CDC is working with state officials to trace the patient's contacts to determine if the illness has spread to others in the state. The virus has affected other communities in China including Hong Kong, and authorities are urging people not to travel in or out of Wuhan. The World Health Organization held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to assess the situation and declined to declare a state of emergency. (CDC news release, 1/21/20)