조지아주에서도 첫신종 코로나19( COVID-19 ) 바이러스 양성 반응자가 발생했다.
브라이언 켐프 주지사는 2일 저녁10시 긴급 기자회견을 갖고 풀턴카운티에 거주하는 부부 2명이 오늘 코로나19 확진 판정을 받았다면서 부부 가운데 1명이 이탈리아 밀라노를 방문하고 돌아와서 증상이 나타나 병원에서 검사를 받았다고 밝혔다.
주 보건부 캐슬린 투미 장관은 감염 환자의 증세가 신속하게 확인돼 2명의 감염자는 현재 집에서 격리돼 치료를 받고 있다면서 해외 여행에서 감염된 것이며 조지아 주내에서 대인접촉으로 인한 것은 아니다라고 밝혔다.
투미 장관은 2명 모두 증상이 경미해 집에서 가족들과 함께 격리돼 있다면서 아직 공중에 대한 위협과 전염 위험은 매우 낮은 편이다라고 밝혔다.
——————————————————————————————————————–This evening, Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Kathleen Toomey, MD, and state officials confirmed Georgia’s first cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) involving two residents of Fulton County who live in the same household. One recently returned from Italy. Both have mild symptoms; they are isolated at home with other relatives to keep the illness from spreading.

DPH is working to identify any contacts who may have been exposed while the individuals were infectious. People who are identified as having been exposed will be contacted directly by a DPH epidemiologist and monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

Earlier this evening, Governor Kemp spoke with Vice President Mike Pence about the two confirmed cases. The Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force was briefed via conference call at roughly 9:30 PM. At 10 PM, Governor Kemp held a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol with Dr. Toomey, State Epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek, Adjutant General Tom Carden, Georgia Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Homer Bryson, and Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King.

“Our team has been working around the clock to prepare for any scenario. Already, state health officials have established contact with these individuals to gather more information, monitor their condition, and determine any exposure,” said Governor Kemp. “They are confident that our efforts to prepare for this moment have enabled us to manage these cases appropriately and minimize any risks moving forward. We remain in constant communication with our partners at all levels of government, and we will continue to update members of the public as information becomes available.”

“We knew that Georgia would likely have confirmed cases of COVID-19, and we planned for it. The immediate risk of COVID-19 to the general public, however, remains low at this time,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, MD, MPH, DPH Commissioner. “I cannot emphasize enough the need for all Georgians to follow the simple precautions that DPH always urges to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.”

COVID-19 spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms appear within two to fourteen days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Those considered at risk for contracting the virus are individuals with travel to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 or individuals in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19.