SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health and the Weber-Morgan Health Department have announced the state's second case of COVID-19.
The patient traveled "extensively" outside Utah and United States, and is believed to have been exposed to COVID-19 during those travels, a news release from UDOH said.
"The patient resides within the Weber-Morgan health district, is older than 60, and is currently in serious, but stable, condition at Intermountain McKay Dee Hospital. The UDOH and the WMHD are working to identify and contact anyone who may have been in close contact with the confirmed case," the news release from UDOH said.
According to Dr. Angela Dunn, UDOH's State Epidemiologist, the patient is a woman who returned from her travels earlier this month. The patient first submitted specimens for testing on Saturday.
The Utah Public Health Laboratory tested the patient's sample and they consider it "presumptive positive." The CDC will conduct further confirmatory testing, the news release said.
COVID-19's symptoms are similar to those of seasonal influenza, including fever, coughing or shortness of breath.
"These symptoms on their own are not worrisome and should not cause alarm. But if someone exhibits these symptoms who has recently traveled to areas with widespread COVID-19 illness or has been in close contact with a known positive case, that individual should immediately notify their health care provider, who will coordinate with the appropriate public health officials to determine next step," the news release said.
There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment available for COVID-19, but Utahns are urged to get vaccinated for influenza.
The UDOH also recommends taking preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, including regular hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow and staying home when you're sick.
All non-essential travel to areas affected by COVID-19 is also discouraged.
This is a developing story. Watch FOX 13 for updates.
