First suspected coronavirus case in Mexicali/Imperial County
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY), The first suspected case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), is being monitored in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.
The persons identity has not been released, but health officials in Mexicali have confirmed that she is a 28-year-old resident of El Centro, California.
The health department in Mexicali is still waiting for test results to confirm if the woman has the virus or not, but according to officials the woman is a high risk case, due to her recent travels.
Officials say the woman recently traveled to Europe and Mexico. According to officials the patient was in Italy for several days. She then returned to Imperial County. It's unclear how many days she was in El Centro or who she had contact with, but shortly after arriving the woman traveled to Cancun, Mexico.
The health department in Mexicali confirmed that the woman had flu-like symptoms when she arrived from Cancun. Upon arrival she went to a hospital in Mexicali for treatment where she has remain in quarantine.
Yesterday it was confirmed she had been in Italy. The Centers for Disease Control have identified Italy as a Level 2 risk. The country is practicing enhance precautions.
Mexico confirmed today their first case of COVID-19.
The Imperial County Public Health Department is aware of the suspect case.
"We are working closely with Mexicali on the case. Here in the county we have been monitoring the virus closely and we are prepared to take extra measures," said Karla Lopez, Epidemiologist with Imperial County Public Health Department.
