CDC Official On Coronavirus In US: 'This Could Be Bad'
CDC Official On Coronavirus In US: 'This Could Be Bad'

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the latest tally of novel coronavirus cases in the United States has jumped to 53.

CNN reports it now includes 36 passengers who were aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, three people repatriated from China, and 14 US cases.

Of the 14 US cases, two of them were the result of person-to-person transmission, one coming in California and the other in Illinois.

Late last week, CDC officials said there were more Diamond Princess passengers who tested positive for coronavirus in Japan.

Those cases would be added to the US count once the results were official.

We are asking the American public to work with us to prepare in the expectation that this could be bad.

Dr. Nancy Messonnier Director, CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.