A US medical worker who tested positive for the new coronavirus says his condition is 'getting worse' every day, even though he's 32 and has no underlying conditions

A 32-year-old medical worker from New Jersey who tested positive for the novel coronavirus says his condition is "getting worse" by the day, the New York City outlet WCBS reported.

James Cai, a physician assistant who was New Jersey's first confirmed coronavirus case, said he didn't have any underlying health conditions. He has been hospitalized at the Hackensack University Medical Center since last week after being treated in the emergency room for his symptoms.

"The virus is everything," Cai told WCBS. "Diarrhea, watery eyes, shortness of breath, chest pain, you name it. High fever."

"Every day is getting worse," he added.

Experts have said the coronavirus poses more of a risk for elderly people as well as those with underlying health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

The 32-year-old medical worker said he believed he was infected at a medical conference held at a hotel in Times Square the weekend before he was taken to the emergency room.

"People have to take coronavirus seriously," Cai said. "It's very serious."

The coronavirus outbreak, which began in China late last year, has so far infected more than 113,000 people, and the death toll has surpassed 4,000 worldwide. While the spread of the disease has tapered off in its epicenter in Wuhan, China, the outbreak has made its way into more than 100 countries outside mainland China.

The US has at least 725 confirmed cases and 26 deaths — 22 in Washington state, two in Florida, and two in California. Several states have declared states of emergency amid the outbreak, including New Jersey, where Cai is being treated.

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