Two people in San Benito County tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total number of U.S. cases to 11.
According to the San Benito County Public Health Department, the 10th and 11th cases are a husband and wife, both 57-years-old.
San Benito County is located east of Salinas.
KSBW, an NBC-affiliate, reports the husband recently traveled from Wuhan, China and the wife contracted the virus from him. Officials say he was screened at the San Francisco International Airport when he returned January 24th, but at that time did not have symptoms.
"[The husband] was screened at the airport per the quarantine rules at the time and was found to be totally healthy and asymptomatic, so nothing was going on with him at the time," said Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, the San Benito County Health Officer.
— San Benito County Public Health Services (@PublicHealthSBC) February 3, 2020
Both patients have stayed at home since returning from China, according to health officials.
However, a few weeks after he returned from China, the husband and wife started feeling symptoms of the virus and called health officials, according to KSBW. The husband reported having a cough and fever.
"There has been some question at this point whether people who are not symptomatic but infected can spread this even before they develop symptoms," said Dr. Fenstersheib. "We don't know the answer to that. The CDC is looking into that and trying to figure out, with the information our researchers are doing, whether indeed you can spread it. We don't know the answer to that."
The ninth case of the virus was confirmed in Santa Clara County. There are a total of six cases in California as of Sunday.
Some key points noted by the San Benito County Health Department:
- If you have not been to China, or been in close contact with someone who has been to China and is sick, your risk is very low.
- CDC guidance indicates that people who have casual contact with a case (in the same grocery store or movie theater) are at minimal risk of developing infection. If you have recently been to China and feel sick, please
- Stay home and avoid contact with others.
- Contact your doctor’s office or emergency room and tell them about your recent travels and symptoms.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
