First COVID-19 case in Taney County confirmed

(From the Taney County Health Department)

Taney County Health Department confirms first case of COVID-19
March 23, 2020 10:00 am

The Taney County Health Department is currently investigating the first presumptive case of COVID-19.

“The individual who tested positive has been notified and is currently following isolation guidelines,” said Tiffany Bullock Public Health Nurse Specializing in Communicable Disease Investigation for the Taney County Health Department.

To protect the patient’s right to privacy, identifying information will not be provided. As part of the regular practice of disease investigation, the health department will notify people who have had contact with the patient.

Taney County Health Department staff are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to determine any close contacts of that individual who were possibly exposed. If so, health officials will provide guidance to these individuals and monitor them closely for the development of symptoms.

Prevention messages for individuals continue to be important to combat this illness in our community: wash your hands, avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, stay home if you’re sick, and practice social distancing.

“We know that this is a travel related case,” States Lisa Marshall Director of the Taney County Health Department, “Disease investigation indicates no known exposure in the community.” The individual and household have self-quarantined since arriving back in the community