Richmond lab among 16 statewide to begin testing for coronavirus

Passengers wear face masks to protect against the spread of the Coronavirus as they arrive on a flight from Asia at Los Angeles International Airport, California, on January 29, 2020. - A new virus that has killed more than one hundred people, infected thousands and has already reached the US could mutate and spread, China warned, as authorities urged people to steer clear of Wuhan, the city at the heart of the outbreak. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo by MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images) less Passengers wear face masks to protect against the spread of the Coronavirus as they arrive on a flight from Asia at Los Angeles International Airport, California, on January 29, 2020. - A new virus that has ... more Photo: Mark Ralston, AFP Via Getty Images Photo: Mark Ralston, AFP Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Richmond lab among 16 statewide to begin testing for coronavirus 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

With six cases of the novel coronavirus confirmed in California, 16 laboratories statewide, including one in the Bay Area, will begin providing tests for the virus, officials with the California Department of Public Health announced Thursday.

The state's Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory in Richmond will be among the 16 labs to start testing on Feb. 12, according to the CDPH.

The widespread testing by the health department will provide more rapid results than currently available and also provide medical care for people who may have been exposed. Currently, testing is being conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and those results take between two and seven days.

"Providing this test in California will deliver more rapid test results to improve care of persons who may be sick with this new virus," CDPH Director and State Health Officer Sonia Angell said in a statement.

Since the virus broke out in late December in Wuhan, China, six people in California have tested positive for the virus, including two people in Santa Clara County, two people in San Benito County, one person in Los Angeles County and one person in Orange County.

Earlier this week, five workers at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose were sent home because they had been exposed to the virus. The workers were told to stay home until Tuesday.

Although state public health officials said the risk of contracting the virus is low for the general public, health officials recommend people take precautions as they would with any virus. People are urged to regularly wash their hands with soap and water, avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and avoid contact with anyone who is sick.

The CDPH is continuing to work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to screen travelers coming from China at both the Los Angeles International Airport and the San Francisco International Airport.

So far, 293 people in the U.S. have been tested for the virus, and 11 of those cases have been confirmed.

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