Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Woman Who Traveled To Iran Becomes First Confirmed Case In New York
The New York Times: Coronavirus In N.Y.: Manhattan Woman Is First Confirmed Case In State
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Sunday confirmed New York State’s first case of the coronavirus, saying that a woman contracted the virus while traveling in Iran and is now in New York City isolated in her home. “The patient has respiratory symptoms, but is not in serious condition and has been in a controlled situation since arriving to New York,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement. The woman, who is in her late 30s, is in Manhattan, according to state officials. She returned from Iran last week, and was tested after going to a hospital in the city; she has since been staying at home, officials said. (Goldstein and McKinley, 3/1)
The Wall Street Journal: First Case Of Coronavirus Confirmed In New York State
“There is no cause for surprise—this was expected,” [Cuomo] said in a statement. “I said from the beginning it was a matter of when, not if, there would be a positive case of novel coronavirus in New York.” (West, 3/1)
CNN: First Case Of Novel Coronavirus Confirmed In New York, Governor Says
Disease detectives in New York have already identified close contacts of the patient, according to New York City Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot. "As we confront this emerging outbreak, we need to separate facts from fear, and guard against stigma and panic," Barbot said. (Andne, Croft, Gumbrecht and Vera, 3/2)
The New York Times: Coronavirus In N.Y.: Panic Shopping For Masks, But Brunch Is Packed
Some pharmacies are seeing huge queues of customers buying hand sanitizers and face masks. One newsstand owner is cleaning his hands obsessively with a bowl of warm water that he keeps inside his stall. A bar owner has written to the mayor to see whether the city can offer licenses for takeout cocktails. The coronavirus has yet to arrive in New York City, but it looms in the back of the minds of many residents. A first positive test result would quite likely increase tensions even more. But for now, restaurants are still full, and tourists are still headed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and are lining up for Broadway shows. (De Freytas-Tamura, 3/1)
