Barry County Reports First COVID-19 Case
March 27, 2020
Isaac Estes-Jones
It is official: Barry County has its first confirmed case of coronavirus COVID-19. The individual is confirmed to be recovering at home and the Barry County Health Department is contacting anyone who may have had contact with the individual during the period they were contagious.
Barry County Emergency Management reported the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Barry County on Friday, March 27. David Compton, Director of Barry County Emergency Management, said, “We don’t have an age range or gender to report right now, but this was a community spread case. That means this person did not travel to a known COVID hotspot like New York City or Wuhan, China.” The patient is currently quarantined in their home and is recovering there.
“At this time, the health department is doing their investigation. That means they have interviewed this individual about who they have been in close contact with during the incubation period, so the last 14 days. They will then be talking to those individuals, checking if anyone else is symptomatic and following that same line of questions,” Compton said.
The patient was tested Thursday at an out-of-county testing site after contacting a doctor when they started to show symptoms. “This person was very smart in that as soon as they thought they might be showing symptoms that match, they immediately contacted a physician who then referred them to a testing site outside of the county,” Compton said. “The test was done yesterday through a private lab and the positive result was reported this afternoon. The good news is, as soon as this person had symptoms, they took appropriate actions. This person is self-quarantined in their home right now.”
While this is a case that was spread through community contact, Compton says people should not be overly worried. “We aren’t changing our recommendations for people right now. That’s not necessary at this time,” he said. The health department’s investigation will go through anyone who had close contact with the patient. For example, Compton said, “If this person had a child and that child’s friend came to the house, the health department would contact that family to let them know to be cautious and aware.”
“When things come out this early, we don’t always have all of the details,” Compton said, “I got a text message and a phone call this afternoon as soon as the results came back. I will say that, as far as I know, this person was under the age of 50.”
Barry County officials are not considering a stay-at-home order or shelter in place order presently. “A lot of the people in Barry County are in the food or emergency response fields anyway, so they would be considered essential personnel,” Compton said. “If the situation changes to the point that we feel that is necessary, we will look at it then, but right now, there are no plans to do that.”
Barry County Emergency Management and Barry County Health Department say people should continue to follow the suggestions for prevention. “The best way to protect yourself is to follow the guidelines,” Compton said. “Cover your mouth when you cough, keep at least six feet between you and other people; that’s how we prevent this from spreading in this community,” he said.
Additionally, Compton stressed the importance of staying safe against all threats, not just the virus. “We are in tornado season now. If sirens go off, heed the storm sirens and go to your shelter. In the shelter, do your best to keep away from other people, but don’t stay away just because there are more than 10 people there. You might catch this virus, but when it comes to a tornado, it is pretty likely to catch you. We want people to stay safe.”
The United States of America is currently leading the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the World Health Organization.
More information on this developing case will be reported as it becomes available.
It is official: Barry County has its first confirmed case of coronavirus COVID-19. The individual is confirmed to be recovering at home and the Barry County Health Department is contacting anyone who may have had contact with the individual during the period they were contagious.
Barry County Emergency Management reported the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Barry County on Friday, March 27. David Compton, Director of Barry County Emergency Management, said, “We don’t have an age range or gender to report right now, but this was a community spread case. That means this person did not travel to a known COVID hotspot like New York City or Wuhan, China.” The patient is currently quarantined in their home and is recovering there.
“At this time, the health department is doing their investigation. That means they have interviewed this individual about who they have been in close contact with during the incubation period, so the last 14 days. They will then be talking to those individuals, checking if anyone else is symptomatic and following that same line of questions,” Compton said.
The patient was tested Thursday at an out-of-county testing site after contacting a doctor when they started to show symptoms. “This person was very smart in that as soon as they thought they might be showing symptoms that match, they immediately contacted a physician who then referred them to a testing site outside of the county,” Compton said. “The test was done yesterday through a private lab and the positive result was reported this afternoon. The good news is, as soon as this person had symptoms, they took appropriate actions. This person is self-quarantined in their home right now.”
While this is a case that was spread through community contact, Compton says people should not be overly worried. “We aren’t changing our recommendations for people right now. That’s not necessary at this time,” he said. The health department’s investigation will go through anyone who had close contact with the patient. For example, Compton said, “If this person had a child and that child’s friend came to the house, the health department would contact that family to let them know to be cautious and aware.”
“When things come out this early, we don’t always have all of the details,” Compton said, “I got a text message and a phone call this afternoon as soon as the results came back. I will say that, as far as I know, this person was under the age of 50.”
Barry County officials are not considering a stay-at-home order or shelter in place order presently. “A lot of the people in Barry County are in the food or emergency response fields anyway, so they would be considered essential personnel,” Compton said. “If the situation changes to the point that we feel that is necessary, we will look at it then, but right now, there are no plans to do that.”
Barry County Emergency Management and Barry County Health Department say people should continue to follow the suggestions for prevention. “The best way to protect yourself is to follow the guidelines,” Compton said. “Cover your mouth when you cough, keep at least six feet between you and other people; that’s how we prevent this from spreading in this community,” he said.
Additionally, Compton stressed the importance of staying safe against all threats, not just the virus. “We are in tornado season now. If sirens go off, heed the storm sirens and go to your shelter. In the shelter, do your best to keep away from other people, but don’t stay away just because there are more than 10 people there. You might catch this virus, but when it comes to a tornado, it is pretty likely to catch you. We want people to stay safe.”
The United States of America is currently leading the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the World Health Organization.
More information on this developing case will be reported as it becomes available.
