- Moses Lake, WA
The Grant County Health District says they are investigating a possible coronavirus case in Grant County.
Health district officials say they were notified on Sunday that an individual in Grant County was showing signs consistent with coronavirus (COVID-19.)
Upon advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Washington Department of Health (DOH), the Grant County Health District submitted a specimen Washington State Public Health Laboratories for testing. Results are expected within 3-5 days.
The health district will release the results to the individual and the public when they become available in the next few days.
“GCHD continues to prepare for the possibility of Grant County being affected by this outbreak. GCHD has been communicating with local healthcare and emergency response partners to ensure that effective prevention and response strategies are in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when it arrives.
If someone feels sick and are at risk for COVID-19, they should call their healthcare provider before going to get care and tell their doctor about their symptoms and travel. Their healthcare provider can give instructions so that others are not exposed,”
The health district stated in a press release on Monday.
Testing for the virus is only available at the state laboratory, not in Grant County.
“Health care providers must follow CDC guidelines when requesting testing for COVID-19. Those guidelines state that a person must be showing certain symptoms and must have traveled to a high risk area or lack another diagnosis,” officials stated.
How to prevent yourself from the COVID-19
People should continue to practice protective measures for sickness. These measures include:
• wash hands often with soap and warm water (20 seconds);
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
• avoid contact with people who are sick;
• stay home and avoid close contact with other while you are sick;
• cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
In light of recently reported cases from our state, it is also appropriate to follow DOH recommendations and plans on social distancing and other methods of reducing the spread of this virus even now.
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