By Tiffany Goodwein

B.C’s top doctor confirms second presumptive case of coronavirus

Feb 4, 2020 | 3:10 PM

The province’s top doctor has confirmed a second presumptive case of the coronavirus in B.C

Speaking at a media conference Tuesday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed a woman in her fifties from the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority tested positive for the virus.

“She became ill a few days ago and was assessed in hospital and the testing came back positive once again late last night,” Henry said.

The province’s top doctor told the media the woman had family visitors from the Wuhan China region, the epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak.

The family visitors from Wuhan are still staying with the woman who contracted the coronavirus and the health authority is following up with all family members while conducting a detailed investigation.

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“We will be testing. We will also trace back any movements that these people have had and make sure that we are in contact with everybody that may have had close contact with any of them,” Henry said.

The visitors from Wuhan China, according to Henry were well aware of the coronavirus sweeping the region and left Wuhan before travel restrictions were in place. She also said the visitors were very conscious about the outbreak and minimized their contact with people outside the home.

The coronavirus is a respiratory infection that impact the lungs. Common symptoms include fever, breathing difficulties, cough and shortness of breath. Pneumonia, kidney failure, acute respiratory symptoms and death can occur in more serious cases, according to the World Health Organization.

Globally, 420 people have died from the coronavirus and there are over 20,000 confirmed cases around the world.

There is no official treatment for the coronavirus, but Henry said washing hands, covering your mouth when you cough, and staying home when you are sick can reduce the risk of contraction.

by Tiffany Goodwein

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