CUMBERLAND PLATEAU HEALTH DISTRICT INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL CONTACTS OF COVID-19 CASE

March 21, 2020

For More Information, Contact:

Robert Parker, public information officer, Western Region, robert.parker@vdh.virginia.gov

CUMBERLAND PLATEAU HEALTH DISTRICT INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL CONTACTS OF COVID-19 CASE

– Patient spent time in Cumberland Plateau Health District, but lives in Henrico Health District –

(LEBANON, Virginia) — The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Cumberland Plateau Health District is investigating potential contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a resident of the Henrico Health District who also spent time in the Cumberland Plateau Health District. The patient is a female in her 20s. She is self-isolating.

“To protect privacy, VDH does not disclose details of individual cases or investigations,” said Sue Cantrell, M.D., director, Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts. “Public health staff are investigating any potential exposures associated with this case, identifying potential contacts, assessing their risk of exposure and recommending appropriate public health and medical measures, as needed.”

“We believe this virus spreads mainly from person-to-person, through respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes. So the best way to prevent illness is to avoid close contact with other people,” Dr. Cantrell continued. “Keep at least six feet away from others. Wash your hands with soap and water well and often, and disinfect surfaces frequently.”

Effective precautions also include:

  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid going out if you are sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

“There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, but by practicing these simple and effective measures, we can all help each other stay well,” Dr. Cantrell said. “It’s simply the right thing to do, for ourselves, our loved ones and everyone around us.”

For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

(NOTE: This case is not yet reflected in the VDH website dashboard, which is updated daily with cases recorded by 5 p.m. the evening before.)