HEALTH OFFICIALS: Blaine County Has a Community Spread Case of COVID-19

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX)-Southern Idaho health officials say one of the confirmed cases of novel coronavirus reported in Blaine County is being considered a community spread case and did not result in travel or any apparent contact with another person infected with the virus.

South Central Public Health District announced Thursday the community spread case, meaning that "at least one person has been infected with the virus in an area who is not sure how or where they became infected." The case involves a man in his 40's that had very mild symptoms and did not travel and did not interact with another person known to have the COVID-19 virus.

“It no longer matters where it started, this virus is now in our community. It is important that we take precautions to slow the spread and protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Logan Hudson, SCPHD Public Health Division Administrator said in a prepared statement. “We urge residents to follow public health recommendations to stay home as much as possible to help protect themselves and their communities.” SCPHD officials say they expect to see more confirmed cases of the virus in the community. So far officials say the case involving the man in his 40s is not linked to the others in Blaine County or the case in Twin Falls County.

SCPHD says people should do the following to slow the spread of the virus:

-Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
-Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
-Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts where social distancing is not achievable; instead use drive-thru, pickup or delivery options.
-Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
-Cancel visits to nursing homes, retirement, and long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.