San Mateo County Health’s (SMC Health) Communicable Disease Control Program is reporting that a resident of San Mateo County is presumptive positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The case is pending confirmatory testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“This new case of a positive case of novel coronavirus has happened in San Mateo County and we share the concerns of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that we all need to be prepared for COVID-19 to spread within the United States. To prevent any illness, follow CDC guidelines including washing your hands frequently, covering your sneeze, and staying home when sick. Also, please dust off your personal emergency plans to make sure you have proper provisions at your home including water, medications, and food.” said Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County Health Officer.

The adult patient has been hospitalized and is in isolation. The patient has no known exposure to the virus through travel or through contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. The source of exposure is unknown at this time.

In consultation with the CDC and the California Department of Public Health, San Mateo County Health is following up directly with all individuals who have had close contact with the case and are at risk of infection.

• SMC Health will be monitoring any close contacts and ensuring that proper evaluation and care is provided if they become ill.
• The CDC’s guidance indicates that people who have had casual contact with a case (e.g., in the same shop or restaurant) are at minimal risk of developing infection.
• The current risk of local transmission remains relativity low but the landscape is likely to change rapidly in the coming days, weeks, and months.

No additional details about the case will be released at this time. With this new case, it brings the total positive COVID-19 cases in San Mateo County to two. The previous case is an individual who was repatriated to the United States by the CDC. The patient is currently in isolation and in good condition.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are like the flu, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or up to 14 days after exposure.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19 or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

For general information about novel coronavirus, please visit www.cdc.gov or https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus.