A Merced resident who was exposed to coronavirus is showing symptoms, awaiting test results
ALSO: Merced ‘public safety employee’ tests positive for coronavirus, city manager confirms.
A Merced resident is showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (coronavirus) after being exposed to another individual confirmed to have the infection, the Merced County Department of Public Health announced Thursday.
The Merced resident is quarantined while awaiting test results. Tests through the public health system typically take three to four days.
Public Health officials are searching for other individuals who may have been exposed as well. The county release did not say where the Merced resident came into contact with the infected person.
“Due to protected health information requirements and the necessity to maintain the patient’s confidentiality, we are not able to further disclose any additional information at this time,” said Merced County Public Health Officer Dr. Ken Bird in a county news release.
As of Wednesday, March 18, there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Merced County. The public health system has tested 27 Merced County residents.
At least that many have been tested through commercial labs, county officials estimate. All have come back negative so far.
Two UC Merced students showed symptoms, and are in self-quarantine at least until test results are available.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 4:31 PM.
