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CDC Confirms New Case of Coronavirus in Northern California

The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed a new infection of the novel coronavirus in Northern California, according to an agency spokesman.

Officials would not say where in Northern California the case is located, only that the patient is in a hospital. The case is still under investigation.

The patient “reportedly did not have a relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19,” the agency said in a press release Wednesday.

How the person was exposed to the virus is unknown.

The CDC isn’t giving out many details. The agency says this could be an instance of “community spread” of the disease – which means the source is unknown. If so, it would be the first time this has happened in the U.S.

“It’s also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected,” the release said.

CDC spokesman Scott Pauly said the coronavirus was detected in the “public health system in Northern California,” picked up by astute clinicians.

Pauly says the CDC is in contact with California state health officials.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is now 15.

Copyright 2020 KQED