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> The coronavirus has been circulating undetected and has possibly infected scores of people over the past six weeks in Washington state, according to a genetic analysis of virus samples that has sobering implications for the entire country amid heightening anxiety about the likely spread of the disease.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/coronavirus-may-have-s...

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Yes, correct, scores of people in the areas the CDC report there being cases, and in which they say people are at increased risk. That's not 'widely in the united States'.

They also say that widespread transmission is eventually likely to occur. They are simply, and as far as I can tell very clearly and responsibly, drawing a distinction between what is happening now and what is likely to occur in the future.

As there has been community transmission and aren't actively testing symptomatic people (unless in known direct contact with someone who has traveled to an affected area, or traveled there themselves), it's questionable if they have a sufficient grasp on "what is happening now".

>and aren't actively testing symptomatic people

The article even has pictures of the test kits they've been distributing.

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