Officials Say First Of 3 Possible NYC Coronavirus Patients Tests Negative
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The first suspected case of novel coronavirus in New York City turned out to be a false alarm.
It's good news for the city and the woman who has been hospitalized at Bellevue since Friday. She tested negative for novel coronavirus.
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"We're relieved to hear that the person in question does not have the novel coronavirus," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "I can't say this enough: If you have the symptoms and recent travel history, please see your health provider immediately."
"The first person who met the criteria to have samples sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was found not to have the 2019 novel coronavirus," said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. "The response and care the patient received reflects how well the systems we have in place are working. We want to thank everyone for all they did, and we will keep New Yorkers informed as the situation develops."
The city announced in a tweet that two other suspected cases are still under investigation.
Test results for the remaining New York cases are expected to take two days. The remaining New York City patients awaiting test results are being treated at New York Presbyterian and Flushing Hospital Medical Center.
Watch: Dr. Max Gomez On Coronavirus Concerns
There are no confirmed cases here, but our region is feeling the impact of the epidemic. In Manhattan's Chinatown, many businesses report traffic is down. Fears of novel coronavirus may be keeping tourists and locals away.
Mohamad Islam, the manager at a souvenir store, told CBS2's Tony Aiello business has dropped 35%.
"Never happen like this, empty. This is totally empty. No people in here," he said.
The Trump administration is barring non-residents who have recently been to China from the United States.
Strict new travel restrictions took effect across the country Sunday, requiring anyone arriving from mainland China, where the novel coronavirus was first detected, to undergo additional screening at one of 11 airports, including Newark and JFK.
The manager of a hotel near Newark Liberty that's popular with Chinese tourists told The New York Times cancellations will cost the hotel $300,000 in the next 90 days.
The epidemic centered in China has killed at least 492 people, with the Philippines reporting the only death outside of China. The official number of novel coronavirus cases is approaching 24,000.
An expert at the World Health Organization points out only 176 cases are confirmed outside of China.
"We have a window of opportunity to act because 176 in the rest of the world is very small, no reason to panic or fear," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Ten of those cases are on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship off the coast of Japan. Those who tested positive for novel coronavirus have been taken to the hospital. More than 3,500 passengers and crew will be quarantined on board for two weeks.
