The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed Sunday a second presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus in the state.
The case is travel related and it involves a resident of Carver County in their 50s who was likely exposed to COVID-19 while traveling in Europe in late February, according to MDH.
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The patient developed symptoms March 2 and sought medical help March 7.
Samples were collected from the person and sent to the MDH Public Health Laboratory for testing and the test was found positive late Sunday afternoon, officials said.
As with the first presumptive coronavirus case in Minnesota, MDH is awaiting additional testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“While our public health workers are busy tracking down potentially exposed people and evaluating potential cases, the rest of us must do our part,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm, said. “First and foremost that means staying home when you are sick. It also means covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands frequently, and avoiding touching your face throughout the day.”
The patient is in isolation at home and recovering.
Officials and health care partners are working to identify those who may have come in contact with the patient. These individuals will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.
The state of Minnesota has set up a hotline for general questions about coronavirus at 651-201-3920. The hotline is open until 8 p.m. on March 6, and open 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Saturday and Sunday.
MDH maintains a regularly updated webpage with "Situation Updates," including the status of "persons under investigation" who are being tested. MDH also has a larger COVID-19 coronavirus information page, with links to additional facts and resources about coronavirus.
The CDC says those symptoms can appear within two days, or as long as 14 days after exposure.
The CDC says the COVID-19 coronavirus is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person, particularly between people in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced by coughing or sneezing. The CDC says those droplets be inhaled or end up in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby.