FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Summit County, Utah (March 13, 2020) – The Summit County Health Department (SCHD) today announced the county’s third and fourth COVID-19 cases.
Both patients are adult males younger than 60 and are out-of-state visitors. The two individuals did not travel to Summit County together. Both exhibited mild symptoms. For patient privacy reasons and in compliance with HIPAA law, no further information will be released regarding their demographics.
The Summit County Health Department is working to identify and contact anyone who may have been in close contact with the confirmed cases. These individuals will be monitored by public health professionals for symptoms related to COVID-19. Public health precautions have been implemented to protect the community based on Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.
In addition to the two cases announced today, Summit County’s previous cases included one resident, an adult male younger than 60, and an out-of-state visitor, an adult male younger than 60. Both individuals are self-isolating at undisclosed locations and have mild symptoms.
Beginning the week of March 16, the Summit County Health Department will limit confirmed case announcements to weekly updates released every Tuesday before 12 p.m. MST. If or when community spread occurs, it will be announced separately as soon as it is confirmed.
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 Utah Department of Health 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 summitcounty.org/coronavirus.
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Media Contact
Derek Siddoway
Communication & Public Engagement Director
dsiddoway@summitcounty.org
435-333-1503