Global outbreaks of the novel coronavirus have just begun and in Europe, things are getting gloomier as the United States announced its first potential "community-spreading" event.
CDC Announces Potential Community Spreading Incident in California
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed on Wednesday that a patient in California tested positive of the CoVID-19 strain but health authorities do not know exactly how the patient was infected, CNBC reported.
Clinicians only got wind of the case as they looked into the public health system. The patient in question reportedly was not exposed to another coronavirus sufferer or had any travel history relevant to the CoVID-19 strain's route.
The patient is residing in Solano County but is being treated in Sacramento County. The CDC said in a statement that it "would be the first time" a community spread has happened in the U.S. should the case not be linked to previous outbreaks outside the country.
Director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Dr. Nancy Messonnier previously warned that the American masses should prepare for a potential outbreak in the U.S.
Trump's Tone Changes
Late Wednesday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump said the coronavirus risk to the country "remains very low." He also announced that Vice-President Mike Pence will be leading the country's battle against the Wuhan coronavirus.
Trump went on to reveal that the country "probably" has 10 confirmed cases. However, the CDC already confirmed 60 confirmed patients in the country as of Wednesday.
Roughly an hour after his announcement that the risk of infection among the American public is low, he said schools should establish pandemic plans "just in case." He reiterated that while he believes the world will not see a pandemic coronavirus state, the country should still, be prepared.
Italy Infection Toll Surges 25 Percent
Within 24 hours, Italy saw a dramatic 25 percent surge in new coronavirus cases as Europe attempts to contain the fast-spreading virus. As of Wednesday, there are 80 new cases in the country.
According to BBC, the infection toll in Italy has reached 400, marking a change in the CoVID-19 strain's route. The World Health Organization (WHO) said a surge in Italian cases indicates the first time the novel virus has spread faster outside its origin country, China.
As part of the efforts in preventing further infections, the Italian government has quarantined 11 towns in total. Universities and lower level schools were also shut down, as well as cinemas and a couple of public events in the country.
Many of the new cases throughout Europe have had a travel history in Italy.
France Reports First Death in Paris
French health minister Jérôme Salomon told the media on Wednesday that a 60-year-old French citizen tested positive in Paris on Tuesday night and died hours later.
Authorities are still investigating the case to find out how exactly the patient contracted the novel coronavirus, Business Insider reported.
Also on Wednesday, France announced two new cases. One of the patients recently traveled to Italy's Lombardy, a region considered to be the worst-hit in the country. The other patient is from northern France.
Norway Announces First Case, Finland a 2nd CoVID-19 Patient
Wednesday was flagged with new confirmed cases in Europe, including Norway and Finland.
According to Al Jazeera, the Norwegian Public Health Agency said its first confirmed CoVID-19 patient has been quarantined at home. The said patient traveled to China last week but did not show symptoms.
In Finland, a woman who recently traveled to Italy's Milan tested positive of the coronavirus, health authorities revealed. This is the country's second confirmed case.
The said patient developed a fever but is reportedly reacting well to treatment. She is being treated at the Helsinki University Hospital.
Greece Reports First Case with Italy Travel History
A woman who recently visited northern Italy has contracted the CoVID-19 strain, authorities in Greece revealed on Wednesday.
Health ministry spokesman Sotiris Tsiordas was quoted by local media to have said that the patient, who resides in Thessaloniki, is "in good health." The woman's family will be quarantined to determine whether they also contracted the disease or not.
Greece rolled out new recommendations for the Greek masses to help prevent the virus from spreading, especially if an outbreak kicks off in the country.
