US Will Test People With Flu-Like Symptoms for New Coronavirus

Shoppers are seen by a deserted Los Angeles Chinatown as most stay away due to fear of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, epidemic after the US has now 15 confirmed cases, in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 13, 2020. Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

The United States will start testing people in five cities who are showing flu-like symptoms for the new coronavirus COVID-19, a top Centers for Disease Control (CDC) official said on Friday.

“CDC has begun working with five public health labs across the U.S. to tap into their ability to conduct community-based influenza surveillance, so that we can begin testing people with flu-like symptoms for novel coronavirus,” Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters in a phone call.