ALAMEDA COUNTY – Officials on Friday confirmed a second positive case of novel coronavirus in Alameda County.
The infected individual, described as an older adult with underlying health problems, was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise ship from Feb. 11 to Feb. 21, according to the Alameda County Public Health Department. Others who went on the voyage have also fallen ill with the virus, officially known as COVID-19, and one has died.
“The patient is currently hospitalized with appropriate infection control precautions, and their family members are in quarantine,” the department said in a news release Friday evening.
While the individual was exposed to the virus outside the county, there is increasing evidence of community transmission in the Bay Area, according to the department. The department said it is prepared for and expects to see more cases in the coming days.
“While over 80 percent of people with COVID-19 have mild disease, we can and should prepare for this new virus to gain a foothold in our county, and we should work to slow the spread of disease and protect our most vulnerable populations,” said Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan in a statement.
Pan urged elderly people and those with underlying health conditions to avoid large gatherings. So far, the department has not recommended closing schools or canceling large gatherings.
Residents, the department said, should take precautions to stop the spread of germs including practicing good personal hygiene habits, covering their mouth and nose with a tissue or a sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and refraining from touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
In neighboring Contra Costa County, three new cases were confirmed Friday. Two of the individuals were passengers on the same Grand Princess voyage as the Alameda County individual.
