Coronavirus Update: New Jersey Department Of Health Confirms State's First Case
WEST TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The first "presumptive positive" case of coronavirus has been reported in New Jersey.
Gov. Phil Murphy says the patient was tested by the New Jersey Department of Health and the results came back positive, but the results have not yet been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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The patient is a 32-year-old man from Fort Lee who has been hospitalized in Bergen County since Tuesday.
"My Administration is working aggressively to keep residents safe and contain the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey," Murphy said in a statement.
Tonight, Acting Governor @LtGovOliver and I are announcing the first presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus, or #COVID19, in New Jersey. The individual, a male in his 30s, is hospitalized in Bergen County and has been hospitalized since March 3rd. pic.twitter.com/E2QtB1Wzut
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 5, 2020
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco released the following statement:
"As I stated yesterday in my press conference, we know the COVID-19 virus will happen in New Jersey, and if it should happen in Bergen County, we will be prepared and ready. Now that a presumed positive test result has occurred here in Bergen County, I have been in contact with [Fort Lee] Mayor Sokolich and have offered the full support of county government. Our Bergen County Health Officer has been in contact with the local health officer offering any assistance they made need. I have been in contact with the Governor Phil Murphy's office and will continue to do so. As more information is gathered we will work with our local municipal partners to get it out to the public. Again, Bergen County, through its Office of Emergency Management, Health Department and other county agencies, are prepared and are taking all appropriate action to address the situation despite the very low risk COVID-19 poses to the general public."
Murphy says state and local public health authorities are proceeding with the public health investigation and response activities as if this was a confirmed case.
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The New Jersey Department of Health is looking into who the patient may have had close contact with and taking appropriate actions.