Summit County, Utah (March 12, 2020) – The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and the Summit County Health Department (SCHD) today announced the state’s fifth case of COVID-19, the second in Summit County.
The patient is an adult male younger than 60 and is an out-of-state visitor. The UDOH and the SCHD are working to identify and contact anyone who may have been in close contact with the confirmed case. These individuals will be monitored by public health for fever and respiratory symptoms. Public health precautions have been implemented to protect the community based on UDOH and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.
“Both COVID-19 cases currently identified in Summit County are the result of travel. At this time, we still have no cases of community spread in Summit County,” said Dr. Rich Bullough, director of SCHD. “The public should remain calm and continue practicing preventive health measures such as properly washing their hands, avoiding touching their faces, and staying home when experiencing cold or flu symptoms. Avoid large gatherings and practice social distancing.”
The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to what someone may be experiencing as the result of seasonal influenza – namely a fever, cough, or shortness of breath. These symptoms on their own are not worrisome and should not cause alarm. But if someone exhibits these symptoms who has recently traveled to areas with widespread COVID-19 illness or has been in close contact with a known positive case, that individual should immediately notify their health care provider, who will coordinate with the appropriate public health officials to determine next steps.
There is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment available for coronavirus and it is flu and respiratory disease season. The UDOH recommends getting vaccinated for influenza, and taking everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs including regular hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or an elbow, and staying home when you’re sick. All nonessential travel to areas affected by COVID-19 is also discouraged.
More information about novel coronavirus can be found at coronavirus.utah.gov or at summitcountyhealth.org/coronavirus.
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Media Contact
Derek Siddoway
Public Information Officer – Summit County Health Department
dsiddoway@summitcounty.org
435-333-1503