VERNAL, Utah – Health officials on Friday announced the first COVID-19 cases in Uintah and San Juan counties.

According to a statement from the TriCounty Health Department, officials believe the case in Uintah County is a result of community-acquired transmission after the patient traveled to the Wasatch Front.

The patients is an adult man younger than 60, according to authorities. He is currently recovering at home.

TCHD officer Jordan Mathis said investigators were not able to link this case to any other confirmed positives.

TCHD is currently notifying appropriate locations and individuals of potential exposure, and is instructing those with potential exposure to quarantine at home, according to the health department’s statement.

“While this is our first case, we do not anticipate it being our last,” said TCHD medical advisor Dr. Karl Breitenbach. “We are asking people not to panic but to remain vigilant regarding their personal hygiene, physical distancing, and staying home at the first sign of symptoms.”

“Minimizing travel, even within our community, will lower the risk to yourself and others,” he added.

Also on Friday, the San Juan Public Health Department, the Utah Navajo Health System and the Navajo Department of Health jointly announced the first case of COVID-19 in San Juan County.

According to a statement, the patient is an adult man younger than 65. No additional information about the individual was provided.

The Utah Department of Health on Thursday reported a total of 402 confirmed cases in the state and one death related to the coronavirus. UDOH is expected to update those figures Friday at 1 p.m.

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Coronavirus Resources  

• Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.  
• What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy  
• What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus  

• Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered  
• The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.  
• Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?  

How Do I Prevent It?  

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:  

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick  
• Avoid touching your face  
• Stay home when you are sick  
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash  
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.  

• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.  

The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.  

How To Get Help  

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth service through your healthcare providers.   

Additional Resources  

If  you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.