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Ever since New York confirmed its first official coronavirus infection on March 1, we knew it would only be a matter of time until community spread began. Just days later, the state confirmed its first community spread case of coronavirus — and person who was infected is a lawyer.
NBC 4 New York has the details:
An attorney who lives in Westchester County and works in Manhattan is New York state’s second confirmed coronavirus case … the governor said Tuesday.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said an initial review of the 50-year-old man’s travels doesn’t suggest any travel to China or other countries at the nexus of the outbreak so authorities are looking at it as a possible case of person-to-person spread. He has been with his family in Westchester, so health officials are testing relatives and working to backtrace any other contacts for risk. That includes coordination with the schools his children attend.
The man, who has an underlying respiratory illness, experienced respiratory issues and was diagnosed at a hospital in the city on Monday, the first day the city was able to conduct such rapid testing locally, Mayor Bill de Blasio added. The man remains hospitalized in serious condition in Manhattan. At this point, authorities are working to trace how he got there from Westchester County, including whether he may have used mass transit.
It’s also been reported that the schools the lawyer’s children attend — SAR Academy and SAR High School, located in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx — closed today due to a “suspected case of coronavirus.”
Who is this man, and which law firm does he work for? Please please text us (646-820-8477) or email us (subject line: “Coronavirus Lawyer”) if you have any ideas.
In the meantime, there are steps you can take to try to protect yourselves from contracting COVID-19. Here are some recommendations from the CDC:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
We know law firms have stepped up to protect their employees, but please make sure you take care of yourselves to avoid catching this illness. Stay safe out there, everyone.
Coronavirus News: Positive case of COVID-19 in Westchester County, 1st community spread in state [ABC 7 New York]
Westchester County Man Tests Positive for Coronavirus in NY’s 1st Possible Community Spread Case [NBC 4 New York]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.