As a result of a Wasatch High student testing positive for COVID-19 all 2,300 students as well as school staff at Wasatch High have been placed on quarantine.
After announcing the first positive test result of COVID-19 in Wasatch County Health Department is directing students and staff at Wasatch High School to be in quarantine at home until March 25th, two weeks from the last possible exposure, they are also instructed to monitor themselves for symptoms during that time. Family members of high school students and staff do not need to quarantine unless the student or staff member becomes symptomatic. Symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, fever over 100° F, and shortness of breath.
Quarantine at home means the students and staff of Wasatch High School should not leave home for ANY reason, except when advised by their health care provider to seek medical care in person. They should not go to work, school, or any public place, including stores, malls, theatres, restaurants, or any other retail establishment. They should also not visit family or friends or have any visitors at home.
“This is our first case of COVID-19 in Wasatch County,” states Randall Probst, Director of the Wasatch County Health Department. “It appears that this case is the result of local transmission.”
The Wasatch County Health Department and the school district are working together to provide instructions to anyone who may have been in close contact with the patient.
“There have been quite a few questions around whether testing is available in Wasatch County,” mentions Probst. “The answer is yes! However, rather than just show up at the hospital we ask that you follow processes to minimize spread of the virus.”
The student, who was last at the school on Thursday, March 12th, is the first confirmed case in Wasatch County. The student went home on Thursday after attending two periods. The student had not been traveling and had no known contact with any confirmed cases. Members of the student's household have remained in isolation since Thursday.
The county has not yet indicated whether closures of restaurants and other public areas will be enacted as has occurred in Summit County.
The health department asks those concerned that they or someone they know may have COVID-19 follow these steps. Stay home from work, school and all public spaces. Call the Utah Coronavirus Information line at 1-800-456-7707 for an assessment.
If the assessment determines that care is required, contact your established healthcare provider by phone or telehealth for medical evaluation and further instructions. Prior to visiting Heber Valley Hospital, please call 435-657-4500. This process ensures protection for both patients and caregivers. Follow the directions of the healthcare provider. You may be instructed to remain isolated at home for a period of time. If this is a life-threatening situation, please call 911 or go directly to the Emergency Room. The hospital has asked the public to please call the emergency department if you have respiratory or flu like symptoms before arriving so they can be prepared to prevent any possible spread of disease.
The health department also recommends that the potentially affected households clean frequently touched surfaces in their homes every day; this includes counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
If a potentially affected household notices symptoms in anyone in their home, they should isolate the ill person away from other members of the household and contact a health care provider via telephone or a telemedicine app. Do not seek medical care in person without first contacting the medical facility in advance to receive instructions.
Most people infected with COVID-19 experience only mild illness. People over the age of 60 and those with other health concerns are more likely to develop serious illness.
If you have questions about COVID-19, contact the Utah COVID-19 Information Line at 1-800-456-7707. You may also visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/covid19, the State of Utah COVID-19 website at coronavirus.utah.gov, or the Wasatch County website at coronavirus.wasatch.utah.gov.
