New details released about Arizona coronavirus patient

State health officials on Friday provided more details about Arizona's only case of new coronavirus. The patient is a male Maricopa County resident in his 20s, they said.

The man, who had recently returned from travel to Wuhan, China, remains in isolation, Arizona Department of Health Services spokesman Chris Minnick said.

The state health department confirmed what remains Arizona's only case of new coronavirus.

Health officials have said the man, who is part of the Arizona State University community but does not live in university housing, is "mildly ill."

Minnick said health officials are testing "several people," who are either close contacts of the Arizona patient, or are at high risk for infection, but would not release specific numbers.

A total of 12 cases of new coronavirus have been confirmed in six U.S. states, and two of the patients are out of treatment, officials with the President's Task Force on Coronavirus said during a media briefing Friday.

There have been no U.S. deaths attributed to new coronavirus.

Federal health officials are not recommending Americans wear surgical masks and maintain that the risk of new coronavirus to the American public is "low."

There's no commercial testing available for new coronavirus, and there's no vaccine for it, either.

While testing is being handled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Arizona Public Health Lab should begin testing for new coronavirus within the next two weeks, Minnick said.

New coronavirus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms are thought to appear within two to 14 days after exposure and consist of fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Those considered at risk for contracting the virus are individuals with travel to Wuhan, China, or individuals in close contact with a person infected with new coronavirus.

State health officials say the best precautions against new coronavirus are the same measures they advise the public take to avoid the spread of the flu:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Reach the reporter at Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. Follow her on Twitter @stephanieinnes.

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