Coronavirus: Second Mercer County resident tests positive, 13 cases pending

UPDATE @ 7:56 p.m. (March 26): The Mercer County Health District is reporting a second positive coronavirus case.

The health district, in a statement released tonight, also is reporting 13 pending cases and one hospitalization.

Upon notification of a positive COVID-19 case, the health district staff will begin a thorough investigation by contacting the person who tested positive and obtaining a list of that person’s close contacts.

Those people are then contacted and advised that they need to quarantine at home and monitor symptoms.

EARLIER REPORT (March 24)

The Mercer County resident who tested positive for COVID-19 is in a hospital, the county health district administrator said.

The resident is the county’s first coronavirus patient to test positive, the Mercer County Health District reported.

A specimen was collected very early Tuesday and the health district was notified of the results about 6:15 p.m., said the administrator, Jason Menchhofer.

No personal information about the case will be released to protect the privacy of the individual, district officials said.

>> Coronavirus: What you need to know

The district staff will work to identify and notify any close contacts who may have been exposed to the positive COVID-19 case.

As in all counties and across the nation, everyone is being asked to take precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19. You an protect yourself by washing your hands often, using hand sanitizer, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, health officials recommend.

It is equally important to avoid close contact with others and stay at least six feet away from others.