2nd presumptive coronavirus disease case confirmed in Minnesota
[anvplayer video=”4854411″ station=”998122″]
The second presumptive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been detected in Minnesota, health officials confirmed on Sunday.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the patient is a Carver County resident in their 50s who was likely exposed to the novel coronavirus while traveling in Europe in late February.
The patient first developed symptoms on Monday and sought health care on Saturday. Samples were collected for testing at the MDH Public Health Laboratory and were found positive on Sunday.
The Carver County patient is in isolation at home, according to the MDH. Public health officials are working to identify and notify everyone who might have come into contact with the patient. Those people will be advised to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.
This is the second presumptive case of the virus in Minnesota thus far. The MDH has sent samples in both cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for confirmatory testing.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the patient is a Carver County resident in their 50s who was likely exposed to the novel coronavirus while traveling in Europe in late February ...
The MDH tested 31 samples on Saturday and Sunday, and all but one came back negative for COVID-19. The state has tested 80 cases in total.
Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm is reminding Minnesotans to take preventative measures to minimize the spread of the virus.
“While our public health workers are busy tracking down potentially exposed people and evaluating potential cases, the rest of us must do our part,” Malcolm said in a statement. “First and foremost that means staying home when you are sick. It also means covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands frequently, and avoiding touching your face throughout the day.”
Meanwhile, more than 40 Minnesotans are on board the Grand Princess cruise ship off the coast of California, where 21 people have tested positive for the virus. The Ramsey County resident who contracted COVID-19 was on that cruise ship’s previous voyage.
The Grand Princess, which is carrying 3,500 people, is set to dock Monday in Oakland for disembarking.
This is a breaking news story. KSTP is working to get more details on this story and will post updates as more information becomes available.