First Mower County COVID-19 case confirmed
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed the first presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19 in Mower County. The case is a Mower County resident in their 50’s who was likely exposed through contact from domestic travel.
Pam Kellogg, Division Manager-Community Health, Mower County Health and Human Services reported that the patient developed symptoms on March 14th and sought health care on March 15th. Samples were collected from the person on the 15th and the test was found positive on the 18th. MDH is awaiting confirmatory testing from CDC, but health officials consider the presumptive results actionable.
The patient is currently in isolation at home and is recovering. Mower County Public Health is working with MDH and health care partners to identify and contact all of those who may have come in contact with the infected person. These people will be asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.
Mower County Public Health would like to stress again the importance of continuing to do the things that can limit the spread of the coronavirus:
- Stay home and away from others if you are sick
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or tissue
- Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water
- Avoid touching your face throughout the day
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is spread primarily by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza is spread. It can also spread when people touch surfaces that have been contaminated by an infected person and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
By Jason Brandt
