Calif. Gov. Newsom: 33 people tested positive for coronavirus, 8.4K people monitored statewide
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to members of the press at a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 6:22 PM PT — Thursday, February 27, 2020
More than two dozen people in California have tested positive for the coronavirus and thousands remain under watch statewide. On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom stated 33 people have tested positive for the virus, while at least 8,400 people are also being monitored.
Of the 33 people who now have the virus, five have been moved out of state. This included California’s first ever case with an unknown source.
“We are currently in deep partnership with CDC on one overriding protocol that drives our principal focus right now: that’s testing,” said Newsom.
Officials added the threat posed to California remains low.
President Donald Trump listens to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, speaks about coronavirus during an Black History Month reception in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has said the American public shouldn’t expect “massive hospital isolation” in response to the coronavirus. During Thursday’s congressional hearing, he explained if the virus spreads in the U.S., it will “look and feel more like a severe flu season.”
According to Azar, labs around the country will also be provided with more test equipment, which will help provide definitive diagnoses of the virus. He noted there’s no risk to communities of individuals who have already been quarantined.
“These are highly contained, controlled environments where, if an individual tests positive,…they can’t remain on military bases,” stated the secretary. “They’re treated with protective equipment while they get better.”
Azar told lawmakers he would guarantee public access to a vaccine that treats the virus, even if it was developed in a joint venture with a private enterprise. This came after he initially received pushback for suggesting a vaccine may not be financially available to some Americans.
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A large monitor displaying a map of Asia and a tally of total coronavirus cases, deaths, and recovered, is visible as Vice President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar tour the Secretary’s Operations Center following a coronavirus task force meeting at the Department of Health and Human Services, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)