Attendee of national journalism conference in NOLA tests presumptive positive for COVID-19

Organizers of a national journalism conference said at least one person who attended has tested presumptive positive for the novel coronavirus.

The National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting was held Wednesday through Sunday, according to nola.com. The organization is part of Investigative Reporters and Editors, a national nonprofit for journalists.

More than 1,000 people attended the conference, held in the Marriott Hotel on Canal Street.

IRE officials released a statement Tuesday night, reading in part:

"This attendee has mild symptoms and is expected to make a full recovery. They are self-quarantining at home for 14 days, as recommended by health professionals.

The test has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control for confirmation. Until the test result is confirmed by the CDC, which can take up to a week, it is considered a presumptive positive. IRE is notifying conference attendees now so that individuals can make their own decisions on how best to proceed.

The attendee traveled from within the United States to the conference in New Orleans and was present from Thursday (March 5) until Saturday afternoon (March 7). Based on the onset of the limited symptoms, they could have contracted the virus either before, during or after the conference. Symptoms can appear within two to 14 days of exposure, and in some cases do not appear at all."

Read the full statement and find more details here.