JAMESTOWN, N.D. (CVH) – Stutsman County’s first positive case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been identified.

Central Valley Health District is working under the direction of the North Dakota Department of Health to identify people who have been in close contact with the affected individual.

The case was a female in her 60’s who contracted disease through community spread.

According to Central Valley Health District Unit Administrator – Robin Iszler, “the public health department is following up with the infected person and is conducting an interview process to determine the individual’s close contacts. We will reach out to those close contact individually and provide them with information and next steps.”

Robin Iszler, urges local residents to be prepared, but not panic. “The community does not need to panic. We need to continue practicing social distancing and monitoring symptoms for illness.”

Currently there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent being infected with the virus is to avoid exposure. As a community, we need to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. In order to do this, we ask you to do the following:

· practice social distance

· contact your healthcare provider if you are sick

· practice good hygiene; wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow

· disinfect frequently used items and surfaces

For questions related to COVID-19, the public can call the North Dakota Department of Health hotline at 866-207-2880 from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., 7 days/week or Central Valley Health District at 701-252-8130, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Central Valley Health will be closed this Friday, April 10, for the Good Friday Holiday.

Individuals experiencing a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing; call your healthcare provider prior to going to the healthcare facility.