El Paso County resident tests positive for coronavirus
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The El Paso County Public Health Department confirmed Friday the first presumptive positive test of coronavirus in the county.
The test was done at a state level and showed a positive result for COVID-19, but the test will be verified by the Centers for Disease Control.
The patient is a man in his 40s with a recent travel history to California, one of the virus' early hot spots in the U.S. He has been isolated in his home and is in stable condition, and members of his family have been quarantined.
Officials said the man is Colorado's eighth patient to test positive since Thursday afternoon.
More information was released during a news conference held Friday afternoon. Watch below:
“Now, more than ever, we want to remind people to focus on the steps they can take to help prevent the spread of disease,” said Dr. Robin Johnson, EPCPH medical director. “The best thing you can do is remain calm, practice good hygiene and stay home if you are sick.”
Johnson didn't specify where in the county the man lives, but said he had no symptoms while he was on a plane flying to and from Denver International Airport.
"He did what we ask people to do," she said. "He isolated himself when his symptoms began, then called ahead for medical care and testing."
Johnson said officials are trying to determine if the man had contact with other people and what the health risk, if any, is to them.
The situation has some people wondering why positive cases of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, have suddenly appeared in Colorado.
"We have seen in other areas that the spread of this virus has followed a similar pattern," Johnson said. "I don't know if it's just due to testing or due to the spread of the virus."
State health officials said Thursday that we can expect to see more positive test results as the state gradually increases its daily testing capacity from 160.
"We have pandemic response plans ready to go," said Jill Ryan, of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. "We have built tools and protocols to monitor travelers and other individuals who may be exposed. We have the infection control expertise we need."
Health experts said that only elderly people, people with weaker immune systems and people with certain pre-existing health conditions should be seriously concerned about the virus.
"Remember, people would have to have direct, close contact with an infected person to be at risk," said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, of the CDPHE. "That means in a confined space for more than ten minutes."
State and local officials held separate news conferences Thursday; the state's came after the first two positive test results were confirmed and the local briefing came before that announcement.
Health officials provided the following tips to remind the public:
- Wash your hands frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your inner elbow shirt sleeve
- Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
- Stay home if you’re sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
