KLAMATH COUNTY -- Health officials are currently investigating one new positive case of the coronavirus, now bringing the county total to five. One of those individuals has since recovered from the illness.
Klamath County Public Health was notified of the new case on Monday after the Oregon Health Authority had already tallied its statewide numbers. As a result, the case will not appear on OHA updates until tomorrow.
Oregon Health Authority releases its daily numbers, compiled by 8 a.m. each day, during the noon hour.
Officials said that contact tracing for this case is already underway, and this is believed to be another example of community spread. The last two cases were announced on Saturday, and one was believed to be community acquired while the other appeared to be travel-related.
"Once Public Health is aware of a positive case, it works with the individual to determine close contacts who might be at risk," the agency said. "Possible times and areas of exposure are also announced when known. Those individuals who may have been exposed are given instructions and next steps to prevent further exposure within the community."
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People who have had a fever, dry cough, or difficulty breathing are asked to remain home until 72 hours after the symptoms stop, without the use of medication. Anyone needing medical help is asked to call ahead so protective measures can be taken. Individuals with life-threatening symptoms should go to the emergency room.
“Our highest priority is the health and safety of our community. We will take all steps necessary to ensure safety while also holding to our core value of integrity. We will not release the name, address or other identifying information about these people,” said Jennifer Little, KCPH director. “It is a matter of patient confidentiality.”
The agency said that in Klamath County "the expectation is that these individuals and their families be able to recover without being the targets of social media attacks and the stigmatization that has occurred in other Oregon communities."
