Utah confirms a 3rd case of novel coronavirus

Utah state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn speaks to reporters during the daily weekday briefing on the state’s COVID-19 response at the Utah Department of Health in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — A third patient with a confirmed case of coronavirus has been identified in Summit County.

A man under 60 years old, who recently traveled to Europe and had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case during his trip, has been recovering at home, the Utah Department of Health reported Wednesday.

The local health department is working to identify anyone who may have been around the newly confirmed case, but has been preparing for spread of the highly contagious illness.

“Residents and visitors of Summit County can be assured that we’ve expected and prepared for COVID-19 in our community,” said Dr. Rich Bullough, director of the Summit County Health Department. “The system of identifying, reporting and now isolating the case has worked flawlessly.”

He said the health department “will continue to communicate openly and honestly with the public.

“We encourage residents and visitors not to be alarmed, but to take regular but important preventive health precautions such as correct hand-washing and staying home when sick,” Bullough said.

The other two confirmed Utah cases are being treated in Ogden and Davis County. Both had recently traveled and been outside of Utah when they contracted the novel coronavirus, according to the Utah Department of Health. Another patient remains under quarantine in his home in St. George after contracting the illness aboard a cruise ship.

Salt Lake County officials called a precautionary state of emergency earlier Wednesday, also introducing a task force that will address potential spread of the disease.

The Utah Department of Health is ramping up testing for coronavirus, which requires two swabbed specimens from each patient, while also ensuring that the health care provider performing the testing is fully protected. Testing for coronavirus is not necessary, however, unless symptoms of a fever, cough and shortness of breath are present.

There has been no official ban on large public gatherings, though the state health department is cautioning local leaders to be ready for such.

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