SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — The Utah Department of Health and Summit County Health Department have confirmed the state's third case of COVID-19 in Summit County.
The patient is described as a male under the age of 60, who showed signs and symptoms of COVID-19. A sample was taken and the test came back presumptive positive. The man is currently at home recovering.
Prior to becoming ill, the man traveled to Austria and had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case while traveling.
Investigators identified everyone who came in close contact with the patient and will monitor those people for any symptoms. The State Department of Health said only about five people came into close contact with the patient.
UDOH and University of Utah Health will be holding a press conference today at 4 p.m. to discuss the case.
“Residents and visitors of Summit County can be assured that we’ve expected and prepared for COVID-19 in our community. The system of identifying, reporting, and now isolating the case has worked flawlessly,” said Dr. Rich Bullough, director of the SCHD. “In partnership with the UDOH and our local healthcare network, the Summit County Health Department will continue our response to COVID-19 in Summit County and will continue to communicate openly and honestly with the public. We encourage residents and visitors not to be alarmed, but to take regular but important preventive health precautions such as correct handwashing and staying home when sick.”
The case was confirmed after the patient called Virtual Urgent Care and notified health experts about his symptoms and recent travel. Health officials were able to prepare for the man's arrival for a test. A sample was collected without the man coming into the hospital. The case is considered to be a “presumptive positive” until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is able to conduct further confirmatory testing.
