2 San Juan County residents being monitored for coronavirus
Feb 7, 2020, 10:21 AM | Updated: Mar 12, 2020, 9:22 am
Microscopic view of Coronavirus, a pathogen that attacks the respiratory tract. Photo: Getty Images
SAN JUAN COUNTY — Public health workers say they are monitoring two residents of San Juan County for the novel coronavirus. The two residents recently returned from mainland China, where the virus is actively spreading.
Health officials say the residents are not infected, but are being watched because of potential exposure to the virus.
“Based on the information currently known about the patients’ activities, there is no immediate health risk to the general public,” the statement says.
Both the Utah Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be guiding the monitoring.
Officials say they want to watch the potential at-risk residents in case they begin to develop symptoms. That way, they can quickly be placed under quarantine and referred for medical care.
The residents will have to record their temperatures twice a day, closely watch their symptoms and distance themselves from social interaction as best as possible. If they develop symptoms of the virus, they will be given instructions on how to safely seek medical care.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Utah or San Juan County.
Similar stories:
Coronavirus leads church to transfer missionaries out of China
Where is Wuhan coronavirus: This is where cases have been confirmed worldwide
US reports 1st case of person-to-person spread of coronavirus in the US
