COVID-19: US county declares public health emergency

Solano County in the US state of California has declared a public health emergency over the first possible community spread case of COVID-19 in the United States, Xinhua reported on Friday.

"Solano County Public Health officials received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that a Solano county resident has tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and has possibly acquired the disease through community transmission," the county said in a statement on Thursday.

"The patient had not been exposed to the virus through travel or through any contact with any infected individual and the patient's exposure is unknown at this time," it said.

"We are taking this situation seriously and are taking steps necessary to protect the health and safety of Solano county residents," it said, adding the risk to the public in the county remains low but as the outbreak continues to spread globally, there could be more reported cases in the future.

It said the county's Public Health Service has activated its Department Operations Center to bolster its response efforts in identifying, screening and following up with individuals potentially exposed to the virus, while collaborating with local, state and federal agencies to implement containment efforts and providing notifications to the public and community agencies as the situation evolves.IANS