Bay Area's first case of coronavirus reported in Santa Clara County

A Chinese worker wears a protective suit as he stands at the lobby desk of an office building while checking people entering on February 10, 2020 in Beijing, China. The number of cases of a deadly new coronavirus rose to more than 40000 in mainland China Monday, days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a global public health emergency. China continued to lock down the city of Wuhan in an effort to contain the spread of the pneumonia-like disease which medicals experts have confirmed can be passed from human to human. In an unprecedented move, Chinese authorities have put travel restrictions on the city which is the epicentre of the virus and municipalities in other parts of the country affecting tens of millions of people. The number of those who have died from the virus in China climbed to over 900 on Monday, mostly in Hubei province, and cases have been reported in other countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and several others. The World Health Organization has warned all governments to be on alert and screening has been stepped up at airports around the world. Some countries, including the United States, have put restrictions on Chinese travellers entering and advised their citizens against travel to China. less A Chinese worker wears a protective suit as he stands at the lobby desk of an office building while checking people entering on February 10, 2020 in Beijing, China. The number of cases of a deadly new ... more Photo: Kevin Frayer, Getty Images Photo: Kevin Frayer, Getty Images Image 1 of / 28 Caption Close Bay Area's first case of coronavirus reported in Santa Clara County 1 / 28 Back to Gallery

A man in Santa Clara County has tested positive for coronavirus, the county's public health department announced Friday.

County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said the patient is an adult male who traveled to Wuhan and became sick after returning home on Jan. 24. According to Cody, the man has been "self-isolated" at home and did not have contact with many people upon his return. He has not left his house other than to seek medical attention.

"We are quite fortunate in this case, as I think the list of contacts is going to be very short," Cody said.

Cody said the county is working to get in touch with the people the patient had contact with after returning but did not specify how many people that may be. She also emphasized that the threat to the public is low, and the flu is of greater concern.

"Right now we're at the peak of the flu season, the flu circulating widely," She said. "It's far more likely for people to become ill from the flu, but the general message is: If you're sick, stay home."

This is the seventh known case of coronavirus in the United States, and the first in the San Francisco Bay Area. So far, 10,000 people have been infected globally and more than 200 have died. All of the deaths have occurred in China, where the disease originated.

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On Friday, the United States declared a public health emergency due to the spread of the virus.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced that foreign nationals believed to be a risk of transmitting the virus will be temporarily barred entry to the United States. The new restrictions begin Sunday afternoon.

“The risk of infection for Americans remains low and with these and our previous actions we are working to keep the risk low,” Azar said.

Americans returning from Hubei province, the center of the outbreak, will be required to undergo 14 days of quarantine. Others returning from elsewhere in China will be allowed to self-monitor their condition for a similar period. The U.S. will also begin funneling all flights to the U.S. from China to seven major airports where passengers can be screened for the illness.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information is made available.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Eric Ting is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting