VERNAL, Utah – The TriCounty Health Department (TCHD) announced Wednesday that its first resident in Uintah County will test positive for COVID-19.
The case is believed to be the result of a community acquired broadcast that recently traveled to the Wasatch Front.
“While this is our first case, we don’t think it will be our last. We ask people not to panic, but rather to remain vigilant about personal hygiene, physical distancing and staying home at the first sign of symptoms, ”said Dr. Karl Breitenbach, health advisor at TriCounty. “Minimizing travel, including within our community, will reduce the risk for you and others.”
The patient is an adult male over 18 and under 60 years of age. The patient is not in the hospital and is currently recovering at home. Due to medical data protection laws, TCHD will not publish any further information on this case.
“When we talk about community acquired, we simply mean that our investigation does not link this case to other confirmed positive results,” said TriCounty Health Officer, Jordan Mathis.
TCHD is currently notifying suitable locations and people of potential exposure. TCHD is instructing those potentially affected by this case to quarantine at home. Local public health workers will monitor those in quarantine for symptoms. Symptoms may include a cough, a fever over 100 ° F, or shortness of breath.
Home quarantine means people should NOT leave their homes for any reason unless their doctor recommends they seek personal medical attention. You should not go to work, school, or any public place including a store, theater, restaurant, or other retail location. You should not visit family or friends or have visitors at home.
TCHD recommends that potentially exposed households clean frequently touched surfaces in their homes on a daily basis; These include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Further recommendations for all residents are frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the eyes, mouth and nose and staying at home in the event of illness.
If a potentially affected household notices someone in their home with symptoms, they should isolate the sick person from the rest of the household and telephone a health care provider. Do not seek medical help in person without first contacting the facility for instructions.
Most people with COVID-19 have only one mild illness. People over the age of 60 and people with other health problems are more likely to develop serious illnesses.
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