LOS ANGELES _ Health officials in Northern California are searching for people who might have come in contact with a woman who is believed to be country's first novel coronavirus patient who did not recently travel outside the country or come in contact with someone who did.
Authorities said her case might indicate that the virus is already spreading within the local community, a significant leap, making it essential that they quickly find anyone who might have been exposed to her.
The Solano County woman was hospitalized more than a week ago but was not tested for several days because she did not fit screening criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include both symptoms of the virus and either a recent history of travel to China or close contact with another coronavirus patient.
In response, Solano County declared a local emergency Thursday because of the virus.
"We are taking this situation seriously and are taking steps necessary to protect the health and safety of Solano County residents," Dr. Bela Matyas, the county's health officer, said in a statement. "It is important to recognize that we have moved from containment to mitigation. We are investigating potential exposures and ensuring that proper evaluation and care are provided if they become sick."
Before she was transferred to UC Davis, the woman was hospitalized for three days at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville, Aimee Brewer, president of Northbay Healthcare Group, said in a statement.
She was transported by ambulance to the UC Davis facility in Sacramento once her condition worsened, Brewer said.
"As for the patient's care in NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, at no time did the patient fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, and therefore a test was not immediately administered," she said.
After learning of the diagnosis, the hospital "launched a meticulous tracing" of anyone who might have been in contact with her, Brewer said. The hospital remains open and is operating normally.
UC Davis officials said the woman arrived on Feb. 19 but was not tested until Sunday. The hospital said that precautions had been put in place because of caregivers' concerns about her condition and that a "small number" of employees had been asked to stay home and monitor their temperature.
Sacramento County Director of Health Services Peter Beileson said the woman had been transferred to the hospital under virus containment protocols, but additional measures, such as isolation in a negative pressure room, which prevents air from escaping, were now in place.
Beileson said he did not expect additional cases of the virus based on those in contact with the patient in Sacramento, where she is receiving treatment, but did expect more cases in Solano County, where she is from.
The woman was "in her community" for a number of days before accessing care, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said.
Investigators are now working to identify and locate anyone who may have come in contact with the woman. The CDC has sent 10 staffers to help trace her contacts. Some hospital workers who came in contact with her are now at home and being monitored.
Three UC Davis students are under 14-day isolation as one awaits test results after showing mild coronavirus symptoms, officials said Thursday.
The students are roommates at Kearney Hall, UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May said.
One student has been off campus since Tuesday and has been tested for COVID-19. The other two have not shown any symptoms and have therefore not been tested, but they have been isolated since Wednesday night as a precaution.
Yolo County Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman said officials know the source of the possible exposure for the student who might have the virus, but could not disclose that information because of privacy rules.
A total of 33 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in California, and five have since left the state, Newsom said. Of the confirmed cases, 24 were either evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship or returned on repatriation flights from Wuhan, China, which is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.
