The 13th U.S. coronavirus case was confirmed Feb. 10, though CDC officials initially cleared the patient by mistake, according to a UC San Diego Health statement.
CDC officials said Feb. 9 that four American evacuees — assessed for coronavirus after returning from China — tested negative for the respiratory infection. The patients were discharged and returned to quarantine at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
However, on Feb. 10, CDC officials said one of the four patients actually did have the disease, now named "COVID-19," according to CNBC. The individual returned to UC San Diego Health, along with another evacuee showing possible coronavirus symptoms. Both patients are in isolation and have minimal symptoms.
UC San Diego Health sent four specimens to a CDC lab, three of which were incorrectly labeled upon arrival and not tested, Fox 40 reports. The CDC lab was unaware that the specimens were from Miramar, and instead gave the hospital negative test results from other patients.
The infected evacuee left the hospital wearing a mask, and marshals transporting the patient wore protective gear as well, according to a Feb. 10 hospital statement cited by The San Diego Union Tribune. It is not known exactly how long the patient was at the base before officials realized the test result was actually positive.
As of 8 a.m., Feb. 12, there are 45,204 confirmed coronavirus cases and 1,117 related deaths.