Washington, D.C., has first 'presumptive positive' test for coronavirus

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A person in Washington, D.C., has had a “presumptive positive test” for the coronavirus, Mayor Muriel Bowser said on Twitter on Saturday.

In a news conference later on Saturday, Bowser said the affected person is a male in their fifties who is a resident of the District. The man began exhibiting conditions in late February although he appears to have no record of international travel or close contact with persons known to have the virus, said Bowser. The man remains hospitalized.

“With his test yielding a presumptive positive DC health has begun investigating in keeping with the CDC’s guidelines,” Bowser said.

The D.C. government is also aware of another unnamed person who recently visited D.C. and was diagnosed with the virus at a Maryland hospital. That case is also being investigated by health professionals to understand the person’s exposure to other residents.

“Our message to D.C. residents continues to be help us prevent the spread of germs and stay informed,” said Bowser.

Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Leslie Adler and Nick Zieminski

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source: reuters.com