Southeast Utah Confirms First Case Of COVID-19
Mar 27, 2020, 10:11 PM | Updated: 10:15 pm
MOAB, Utah – Officials with the Southeast Utah Health Department announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Grand County.
The patient is an adult female between the ages of 25 and 45 and officials said initial information indicates she likely contracted the coronavirus through contact with individuals from outside of Utah.
“This may be our first confirmed case, but we do not assume it is our only case,” said SEUHD health officer Bradon Bradford on Friday. “We would like to remind the community that we need to act and go through our days as if we already have the virus moving through our community. By behaving this way, we limit our exposure to others, thus decreasing the chance for community spread of disease.”
Health officials are working to identify people and places that were potentially exposed.
“The patient and her known contacts have been asked to remain isolated at home and will remain under active monitoring until at least 14 days from symptom onset and resolution of symptoms,” officials said.
This case raises the total of confirmed COVID-19 cases to at least 481 and was the first in southeastern Utah.
Earlier Friday, officials announced Arches and Canyonlands national parks will close to all park visitors on Saturday.
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 services 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.