First coronavirus case in Washington County

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

The first presumed case of coronavirus has been reported in Washington County, though county officials are still awaiting details from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Washington County Commission Chair Diana Irey Vaughan said the state Department of Health confirmed the diagnosis to the county Friday evening, but details are still sketchy. 

“The Department of Health has not yet provided Washington County with the gender, age or location of the individual,” Irey Vaughan said.

Irey Vaughan said local officials have only been told that the person went to a doctor’s office with flu-like symptoms. The doctor then reported the case to the state without notifying county officials. It is not known if the individual is hospitalized or quarantined at home, Irey Vaughan said.

“If you are ill and think you may have come in contact with the coronavirus, immediately contact the (Washington County) Department of Health to determine your next step prior to visiting a doctor or urgent care facility and allow them to instruct you,” she said. “There are a lot of people who have access to tele-health. We encourage you to use it.”

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Saturday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.