Maine Resident Tests Negative for Coronavirus

The first resident of Maine to be tested for the novel coronavirus has tested negative for the illness.

After agreeing to quarantine in their own home until testing was completed, a Maine resident has received a negative result, meaning they do not have the illness. The testing was done by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which has set up a website, specifically for the 2019 Novel coronavirus, which health officials are now calling COVID-19.

With this negative test result, Maine still has no diagnosed cases of the coronavirus. Dr. Nirav Shah says, at this point, residents should be more concerned about catching the flu. Precautions like washing hands often and well, covering your cough, and staying home when you're sick are all important measures to help stay healthy this time of year.

According to the Maine CDC's coronavirus website, 14 people in the United States have tested positive for the illness, with Massachusetts being the closest to Maine. It's also the only state on the east coast, so far, to have a confirmed case. In all, six states have patients who have tested positive for coronavirus but, so far, no deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.