Positive coronavirus case in Houston County is a health care worker, officials say

The first Middle Georgia case of the new coronavirus is a health care provider in Houston County.

The individual works with Houston Healthcare at one of its med-stop facilities, Houston Healthcare posted on its Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.

All of the med-stops were closed immediately Wednesday afternoon. At which med-stop the health-care provided worked was not specified.

“Our primary concern rests with the safety of our patients, employees and medical staff ...We are working closely with officials from the North Central Health District of the Georgia Department of Public Health to provide appropriate patient and employee follow up,” the post said.

The individual has a travel history to an area of the United States where COVID-19 has “active community spread,” NCHD said. The individual has not been hospitalized and is isolated at home

“NCHD is working to identify any contacts that may have been exposed while the individual was infectious,” the district said in a release. “People identified as having been potentially exposed will be contacted directly by a public health epidemiologist and monitored for respiratory symptoms.”

More from NCHD on COVID-19

COVID-19 is spread by an infected person’s coughs and sneezes or close contact with an infected individual. Symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The best way to protect against COVID-19 is to practice germ prevention:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water a not available, us an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue. If a tissue is not available, use the inside of your elbow to cover yourself.
• Regularly clean and disinfect high-touch objects and surfaces.

Healthcare facilities are working with the Georgia Public Health Laboratory and private labs to process tests. NCHD’s 13 county health departments do not offer testing at this time. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider before visiting the location. For more information about the COVID-19, including cases numbers and guidance, visit NCHD52.org/coronavirus, or use the Georgia COVID-19 Hotline by calling 844-442-2681.

This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 10:23 AM.