**UPDATE** A woman who flew into Raleigh-Durham Airport and was suspected of carrying coronavirus has tested negative for the deadly disease, state health officials announced on Saturday.
“We are pleased that test results were negative and that the patient remains in good health,” said a press release. “We are working with CDC and local partners to be sure we are prepared to detect and respond to any possible cases that might occur in North Carolina in the future.”
The woman was being cared for in isolation at Duke University Hospital after arriving in Raleigh.
North Carolina health officials are investigating a possible case of infection with the newly discovered 2019 coronavirus.
The individual recently traveled to China and passed through Wuhan City — where the outbreak originated — but had not visited the seafood and animal market that was linked to many early cases.
The person arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on January 23. Per a release from state health officials, the patient presented with mild respiratory symptoms and is currently in good condition and being cared for in isolation at Duke University Hospital.
Health officials said the Division of Public Health is arranging testing for the novel coronavirus at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A diagnosis cannot be confirmed at this time.
“Although it is unlikely that this person was infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus, we are conducting testing out of an abundance of caution,” said Dr. Zack Moore, State Epidemiologist, in the release. “If you haven’t traveled to Wuhan in the past two weeks, your risk of infection with this virus is very low.”
The person did not have close contact with anyone after disembarking at the airport at Raleigh-Durham Airport and wore a mask the entire time.
The person was transported directly to the hospital from RDU for assessment and care using appropriate infection prevention measures. People who were at RDU or the hospital at the same time as this individual was present are not considered at risk for infection.
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