2nd Coronavirus Case In New York Prompts Some Schools To Close

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At a press conference, Cuomo said the unidentified man is an attorney in his 50s from New Rochelle who commuted to work in the Manhattan and has children, who will be tested for possible exposure.

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"We don't know how he commuted into Manhattan, we're checking whether or not he took public transportation," Cuomo said.

The man was originally at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville and was transferred to a hospital in Manhattan, where he is in serious condition.

In Albany giving an update on the #coronavirus response in New York State. https://t.co/4WWKkm6PQv

-- Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 3, 2020

Westchester's health department has recruited nurses and detectives to retrace the man's steps, including where did he go and what did he do in Westchester County before going to the hospital. They will also investigate his family's movements.

"To start interviewing every person that we can who might have information about how this person might have contracted this infection and how they might have spread it to," Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler said.

Cuomo said the man apparently had an underlying respiratory illness and no known travel history to China or other countries on the virus watch list, though he recently visited Miami.

He notes it appears to be a community spread case.

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"When you can't track it back directly to one place or one visit, I think that's what we're seeing today," he said. "We have a case in Westchester, a 50-year-old gentleman, who did not travel to any of the places that are on the 'watch list.'"

The governor said more cases are expected as the outbreak spreads and testing ramps up.

The SAR Academy and SAR High School in the Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale are closed. The man's child attends a school on that campus. In a statement, the SAR Academy said the closure is a precaution and urged students, parents and staff to remain calm.

A mother whose children attends the SAR Academy in Riverdale told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond that now, it hits home.

In Mamaroneck, Westchester Day School has also closed for the day out of "an abundance of caution," according to The New York Times.

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Westchester County Executive George Latimer is urging residents not to panic. He says the best thing to do is stay informed and practice good hygiene.

"I expect it to grow. I'm not a professional. Logic tells me that this will grow and we're going to have to be prepared to deal with a larger number of people that will both need to be quarantined," Latimer said.

He says if you suspect you have coronavirus, do not go to the emergency room. Instead, call your doctor first to avoid exposing others.

Gov. Cuomo said two families in Buffalo who recently traveled to Italy are also being tested for the virus and have been isolated in their homes.

On Monday, Cuomo confirmed the first case of coronavirus in New York State. The patient is a 39-year-old woman who lives in Manhattan. She had contracted the virus while working in Iran and secluded herself immediately upon returning to New York City last Tuesday. Her husband, who joined her on the trip, is awaiting test results.

Cuomo also said that students at State Universities of New York who are currently studying abroad may be brought home.

The Democratic governor tried to calm the public by noting that 80% of those who get the virus will self-resolve and the mortality rate is 1.4% -- about double the normal flu rate.

RELATED: WHO Upgrades Global Coronavirus Risk To 'Very High'

Cuomo signed a bill approving a $40 million emergency aid package to help the health department hire additional staff and get more equipment to help track and fight the virus.

In Nassau County - where there are a few dozen people being monitored for the virus - lawmakers are also taking steps to address residents' concerns. They will hold a public meeting to spell out the facts and misconceptions about coronavirus on Tuesday.

"In an effort to ease public anxiety and confirm that Nassau County has adequate staffing, resources, procedures and protocols in place to contain and prevent the potential spread of the corona virus. I call for a hearing of the health and other members of the Legislature," said Legislator Rose Walker.

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The meeting began at 10 a.m. at the County Building in Mineola.

"We don't our businesses to be hurt. We don't want travel to be hurt. People should go about their lives as much to normal as they can, as in every situation," Walker said.

Currently, 67 people are being monitored in the county after traveling to China.

As of March 3, there is a total of 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States with a total of seven deaths.

Worldwide, there are over 90,000 cases of the virus and about 3,100 people have died from COVID-19.

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