NYC warns residents to wear a mask after local tests positive for virus related to monkeypox

A New York City patient tested positive for a virus related to monkeypox as officials worldwide warn against the spread of the rare disease.

The city health department, which was probing two possible infections, confirmed one patient tested positive for orthopoxvirus, the family of of viruses to which monkeypox belongs. 

Doctors are treating the case as a presumed positive, with the patient being kept in isolation, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts tests to confirm a monkeypox diagnosis.

NYC officials say the other possible monkeypox patient tested negative for the virus. 

The health department is encouraging New Yorkers to wear face masks to protect against monkeypox, as well as other illnesses, such as COVID-19 and the flu. Monkeypox primarily spreads…