Epidemiological Update: Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) (14 February 2020)

Abstract

On 21 January 2020, the first case of COVID-19 imported into the region of the Americas was identified in the United States of America in the state of Washington. A few days later, on 25 January, Canada reported their first confirmed case of novel coronavirus COVID-19 in Toronto, Ontario Province. Since then and to date, there have been twenty-two (22) confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in the Region of the Americas – fifteen (15) in the United States of America and seven (7) in Canada. The 15 cases in the United States of America were reported from six (6) states – Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas and Washington between 21 January and 13 February 2020. Of the total cases, thirteen (13) had a history of travel to China and two (2) were among close house-hold contacts of previously confirmed cases. The latest two cases with travel history to China were among federally quarantined individuals in the states of Texas and California. In Canada, the seven (7) confirmed cases were reported from two (2) provinces – Ontario (3) and British Colombia (4). Of 7 cases, six had a travel history to China and one is currently under investigation regarding the site of transmission. Canada is the second country within the Region to report a confirmed case (following USA).