The first Italian patient to test
positive for coronavirus is unlikely to have infected the other
55 nationals who were evacuated with him from the Chinese city
of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and who are now
quarantined in Rome's Cecchignola military complex, the director
of the infectious diseases department of Italy's Higher Health
Institute (ISS), Gianni Rezza, told ANSA on Friday.
"Although it can't be completely ruled out, I believe it is
highly unlikely that the Italian who tested positive for
coronavirus has transmitted the infection to someone else of the
55 Italians who, like him, returned from the Chinese city of
Wuhan and who are still under observation at the military
citadel of the Cecchignola", said Rezza.
Nevertheless, the 14 day quarantine period for the other 55
Italians started afresh on Thursday as a result of the positive
test, sources said.
Rezza said the man was "immediately further isolated" after
the "appearance of the very first slight symptoms, like fever".
Moreover "measures of isolation and precautionary measures
such as the use of masks and gloves were already taken for all
Italians under observation", the expert said.
He explained that "the highest risk remains connected to the
fact that these Italians lived in the Chinese city of Wuhan"
when it became "the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic".
Tests will be repeated on all quarantined Italians to monitor
their condition, explained Rezza, saying that this was crucial
in identifying the infection in the Italian patient as soon as
the first symptoms were reported.
The man who tested positive had a slight fever and
conjunctivitis, he said.
"Clearly, nobody can rule out that there will be a new case
among Italians at the Cecchignola, although it is unlikely",
Rezza added, noting that they would not have necessarily been
infected by the patient, because everybody came from Wuhan.
Meanwhile on Friday the mayor of Luzzara near Reggio Emilia,
Andrea Costa, wrote on Facebook that the first Italian to test
positive for coronavirus is from his town and that he has spoken
with the man's father.
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