The first case of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has made its way into Carroll County. State and local health officials confirmed Thursday test results from the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa have returned positive for two new patients with the virus, one in Carroll County and the other in Johnson County. Both cases are in individuals between the ages of 61 and 80 years old and are linked to the same Egyptian cruise as 13 other positive cases. According to Carroll County Public Health Nurse, Sara Schulte, there were no confirmed cases as of Thursday morning and this new case shows how quickly the circumstances change.
The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath and general malaise. Schulte is unable to provide any additional information about the Carroll patient, but she notes the individual self-quarantined as soon as they started showing indications of infection.
Schulte says she understands that people may be more concerned now that a case has been confirmed close to home, but she says the recommendations from Carroll County and Iowa Departments of Public Health are the same: wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes and stay home when ill. Schulte stresses the importance of contacting your healthcare provider before going to the hospital or clinic if you believe you may have the coronavirus.
Carroll Broadcasting will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available. For the latest reports, follow the links included with this story on our website.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)
https://idph.iowa.gov/emerging-health-issues/novel-coronavirus
Carroll County Public Health
