KINGWOOD — The Preston County resident who tested positive on Monday for COVID-19 has been investigated, close contacts have been identified and notified. Investigation has indicated that this case is travel related and not community transmission, according to the Preston County Health Department.
It is Preston County’s third case of the COVID-19 virus, and the county health department is urging people to practice preventive measures.
Preston County’s first confirmed case of the virus was announced March 24. That person was self-quarantined at home and did not contract the virus in Preston County, the department said.
The second person, who tested positive March 28, is under isolation and treatment at home. This case is travel related, according to the department.
The Preston County Commission has called an emergency meeting for 9 a.m. today to discuss new policies and procedures regarding COVID-19.
The building is closed to the public, but the meeting will be live streamed. Access the video through the commission’s Facebook page, Preston County Commission WV.
Due to HIPPA compliance, patients’ names and addresses will not be released. The health department is conducting “very comprehensive investigations and will identify people that may have came into contact with a positive individual,” it said in a news release.
“The general public really has no need to know where an individual lives. You cannot contract the virus unless you have contact with the infected individual and if that is the case, you will be contacted and notified,” the department said.
In a news release Tuesday, the Preston County Health Department stressed the importance of following preventive measures. These include:
Stay home unless you must go out for essential items or work. The safest place you can be is at home.
Do not make numerous trips to the store. Try to only go when you absolutely need to, not to just get one item.
When you go to the store, do not take multiple family members. The more people who go, the more risk for exposure.
Do not socialize with groups of people. This is not a time to have parties or small get-togethers in the backyard.
If you go outside for walks, exercise, etc., do not go to places where large amounts of people are.
When you are out, be very careful to stay 6 feet from others, do not touch common surfaces unless you have to; if you do touch a common surface, do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth without first washing your hands.
If you are sick, do not go out for any reason.
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