Merced County resident with coronavirus contracted during domestic travel, officials say
The first Merced County resident confirmed to have novel coronavirus (COVID-19) contracted it after domestic travel outside of California by airplane, Merced County Department of Public Health officials told the Sun-Star.
The positive COVID-19 result was announced Sunday by the Department of Public Health, and remains the only confirmed case in Merced County as of Monday.
County officials said they cannot comment on when the individual began to show coronavirus symptoms.
Officials said they were successful in reaching out to people the infected person may have had contact with. “Contact has already been made with all affected individuals,” said Dr. Kristynn Sullivan, supervising epidemiologist and operations chief for Merced County Public Health.
Sullivan said the county cannot comment on the number of individuals currently being tested or quarantined as a result of contact with the COVID-19 positive person.
The county is also not releasing the gender, age or where area of residence for the infected person.
“Due to privacy laws, the Public Health Department cannot release identifying information in any capacity related to the positive case,” a Monday news release said.
The public health system in Merced County has tested a total of 43 residents so far, with one positive result, 30 negative and 12 pending as of Monday.
At least that many have been tested through private labs as well.
A City of Merced public safety officer also tested positive last week, but was not included in Merced County’s numbers on account of living in Madera County.
The news of a confirmed coronavirus case within county borders doesn’t mean efforts will significantly change at the county level, Sullivan said.
“We’ve actually been acting as if we’ve had a positive case in Merced County for some time now,” she said. “It wasn’t surprising at all.”
The lack of coronavirus test kits statewide and nationally has led to an incomplete picture of the true number of individuals with COVID-19. Inadequate numbers of nasal swabs, viral transport medium and protective equipment for medical professionals are among the supplies stretched thin.
Sullivan said more testing supplies are beginning to trickle in, but in small amounts. “We really are looking to expand testing,” she said.
One way this could happen is employing a drive-through testing system similar to those used by other counties, Sullivan said. The system could also create a safety net for residents who want to be tested but don’t have medical providers, she said.
Such testing would be done by appointment through the public health system. While some patients would be recommended for testing by their physicians, Sullivan said those without medical providers would be able to make appointments, too.
Drive-through testing would still be reserved for the most high-risk and symptomatic patients, she said. Plans to expand testing in this way are contingent upon receiving more supplies, however.
Sullivan said hospital capacity and protective equipment in Merced County are in ample supply at this time. County Public Health is planning for alternative care sites, should the number of sick individuals exceed the number of beds, she said.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 1:00 PM.
