1st Human-To-Human Coronavirus Case, 21 Possible Cases In IL

CHICAGO, IL — A woman in her 60s who became the second patient in the U.S. to be diagnosed with Wuhan coronavirus after returning from a trip to China likely transmitted the respiratory illness to her husband in the United States, health officials said. The international outbreak has been declared a "public health emergency" by the World Health Organization — only the sixth time the WHO has declared such an emergency.

The CDC on Thursday said the woman, who is being treated at AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, and her husband are believed to be the first human-to-human cases of the new coronavirus in the country.

The woman reportedly traveled to China in December, returning to Chicago on Jan. 13. Her husband, who is also in his 60s, did not travel to China but was in close contact with his wife after her return. He is the second confirmed coronavirus case in Illinois and the sixth in the U.S.

The couple is hospitalized and both are in stable condition.

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"We know coronaviruses are most likely to spread through close personal contact, and we know this second patient had close contact with his wife after she began to develop symptoms, so it's not totally unexpected that he acquired the virus," said Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. "This is exactly why public health has been monitoring him closely, and why we monitor any close contacts of confirmed cases. This does not change our guidance that the risk to the general public remains low at this time. People in the community do not need to change their behavior based on this news; for example, they don't need to cancel events, avoid mass gatherings, or wear gloves and masks in public."

Meanwhile, Illinois health officials are reportedly investigating an additional 21 possible cases in the state, the Chicago Tribune reported.

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Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Evanston Democrat, tweeted Thursday about the second confirmed Illinois cases, saying, "There is no cause for panic as these cases in our state are in isolation and both individuals are in recovery.

Schakowsky added, "The risk to Illinoisans and the general public is still low. The best defense for this coronavirus and any other virus — including the flu — is good public health practice like washing your hands and covering your cough."

O'Hare continues to screen travelers for the virus, which has reportedly caused 132 deaths in China. There have been more than 5,000 confirmed cases in that country.

Symptoms and how to stop the spread of coronavirus

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, common human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory illnesses, like the common cold. These illnesses typically only last for a short time.

Symptoms may include:

• runny nose
• headache
• cough
• sore throat
• fever
• a general feeling of being unwell

Coronaviruses can also sometimes cause lower-respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

The illness can spread through:

• the air by coughing and sneezing
• close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands
• rarely, fecal contamination

There are currently no vaccines to prevent coronavirus, but IDPH offers these tips for preventing the spread of the illness:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.