First NYC Patient Tested for Coronavirus Comes Back Negative; Two Others Still Pending

NBC New York ^ | 02/05/2020

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Test results for the first patient under investigation for coronavirus at a New York City hospital have come back negative, the city's Health Department announced.

“The first person who met the criteria to have samples sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was found not to have the 2019 novel coronavirus,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “The response and care the patient received reflects how well the systems we have in place are working."

The patient, who was under 40 years old, had been tested at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan after being admitted on Saturday.

“We’re relieved to hear that the person in question does not have the novel coronavirus,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I can’t say this enough: if you have the symptoms and recent travel history, please see your health provider immediately.”

There are still two patients, both of whom are over 60 years old, who were admitted to hospitals in Queens late Sunday evening; one at Flushing Hospital and the other at New York-Presbyterian, health officials said. The results for those two are still pending.

The three people had been tested for the deadly virus after they exhibited symptoms upon their return from mainland China, health officials said. All three patients "presented with fever and cough or shortness of breath without another common cause, like influenza and other cold viruses," the health department said.

NYC Mayor de Blasio informed residents that the risk to the general public remained low but advised people to take precautions as they would with the flu "like regular handwashing."

"New York City has the strongest public health system in the nation — I want every New Yorker to know we’re taking every possible precaution as we respond," de Blasio tweeted Sunday.

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