2 Presumptive Positive Cases Announced
Press Release
March 13, 2020 Ventura, CA – Ventura County Public Health has announced two new presumptive positive COVID-19 cases: 1) The first case is a person who had traveled from Egypt. The person has had limited public contact and remains under home quarantine. 2) The second case is an 8-year-old child. The child was treated multiple times over the past month for an underlying condition. The child has not attended school for more than 14 days. The child is now being treated at a hospital outside of Ventura County. At this time, the Ventura County Public Health Lab has conducted 112 COVID-19 tests. There is 1 positive case and 4 presumptive positive cases pending confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally presented with mild symptoms. Reported symptoms include cold-like symptoms, such as fever and cough. Children with underlying medical conditions and special healthcare needs may be at a higher risk for severe illness. Ventura County Public Health is encouraging all community members who are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 to take actions to reduce their risk. Older adults, individuals with compromised immune systems, and individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or lung disease are encouraged to practice social distancing. Such individuals are encouraged to avoid public settings, avoid people who are sick and avoid hugging or shaking hands.
Preventive actions for all community members include:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you feel sick, please contact your doctor first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
If you have an emergency, please call 911. Your personal doctor can answer questions about your health and circumstances. The California Department of Public Health has state guidance on how to prepare and protect community members from COVID-19 at the following link. Also, found at www.cdph.ca.gov.
