First COVID-19 case confirmed in Pend Oreille County

Northeast Tri County Health District (NETCHD) has reported the first positive COVID-19 test in Pend Oreille County, Wash. Pend Oreille County is adjacent to Boundary and Bonner Counties.

The individual who tested positive for COVID-19 is a Pend Oreille County resident and is in isolation at home.

NETCHD is in the process of notifying potential close contacts and these individuals will be given additional guidance and advised of precautions they should take.

Early precautions made by medical facilities, providers and business owners in Pend Oreille County, along with help from the public, could make the difference in reducing the spread of the virus and protecting local residents.

Officials said is likely that more cases will be confirmed in the area. Investigations in other counties are seeing a common trend relating to exposure, which involve:

• Travel or visitation of individuals traveling, to and from out of the area

• Travel to areas outside the local communities

COVID-19 has shown that it is not limited to specific communities, work sites, or individuals. It is also known that a person can be infected with COVID-19 and be contagious while showing mild or no symptoms.

Pend Oreille County has established a COVID-19 call center that residents can call with questions and concerns. The call center number is (509) 447-1988.