By Nelson
The first coronavirus case had been reported in the Washington, D.C..
A man in his 50s who lives in Washington, D.C., tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday, Mayor Muriel Bowser said.
The patient began exhibiting symptoms in late February and was hospitalized locally on March 5, she said.
The case is considered to be the result of community spread because the man did not appear to have a history of international travel or any close contact with another confirmed case.
“With his test yielding a presumptive positive, D.C. Health has started its investigation in keeping with CDC guidelines,” Bowser said. “This investigation includes contact tracing and providing guidance on next steps for care.”
D.C’s first patient was announced shortly after it was revealed that an attendee of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference had tested positive for the new coronavirus after returning from the four-day event last week, The New York Times reported.
The conference was held just outside the capital and attended by both President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
Organizers said the patient tested positive Saturday and was exposed to the virus before attending the event and had no interaction with the president or VP, the Times reported
Trump brushed off any concerns as the virus crept closer to the White House.
“I’m not concerned at all,” the president said Saturday.
When asked, Trump said he’d press on with rallies as the number of infected Americans continues to rise, with more than 400 cases documented by Saturday night.
