DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - Health officials in Dallas County are reporting a second presumptive positive case of coronavirus. Officials say the second patient was in close contact with the first and they do not believe this indicates the virus is spreading within the community.
The first patient is 77 years old and has traveled extensively. Officials believe he contracted the virus while traveling. He is being treated at a Dallas hospital. Officials say healthcare workers there have been using the appropriate protective equipment and the patient is being kept isolated.
"While we know this case is concerning, it is not unexpected. We have been preparing for this event. We are working with all local, regional, and statewide health authorities to monitor the situation and update the public," said Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Dr. Philip Huang.
Officials with Dallas County Health and Human Services say the second patient is an adult in their 50's and has been in close contact with the first patient. They describe the second case as "expected" and say it is not a cause for concern.
Dallas County Reports First Presumptive Positive 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Case pic.twitter.com/TxLmqEC6nR
— Clay Jenkins (@JudgeClayJ) March 10, 2020Health officials in Tarrant County say they are also monitoring a coronavirus case. It's the first in Tarrant County. The patient had recently traveled to Kentucky for a conference. Health officials have identified the places that person has been and are notifying people that may have had contact with the patient.
"If anybody starts to exhibit symptoms, we will be working with them and their healthcare provider to do testing for them as well," said Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja.
This is a developing news story.
