Test came from clinic at Pima Junior High School
By Jon Johnson
PIMA – A second positive test for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has been confirmed for Graham County.
The test was one of nine done during a three-day clinic at Pima Junior High last week after a staff member in contact with fifth- and sixth-grade students had a positive test for the virus. All the tests from the clinic have been returned and there was only the one positive out of the nine subjects tested.
Additionally, Safford Mayor Jason Kouts’ test for COVID-19 also came back negative, according to a post by his wife, Maria. Kouts is very sick, however, and is battling pneumonia.
As of Saturday, a total of 35 tests have been taken for COVID-19 in Graham County with two positive results, 14 negative, and 19 which are still pending lab results.
The Graham County Department of Health and Human Services released this notice Saturday afternoon.
“The Graham County Health Department has been investigating possible exposures to a positive COVID- 19 case that was reported on March 13. A second positive case has been identified through specimen collection from a symptomatic person at the Pima Junior High Clinic this week. The Health Department is working with partners in the county to isolate and quarantine those sick with this illness and anyone who has had close contact with the ill person during their infectious period. As a community, we need to limit the spread of COVID-19 to protect our vulnerable population.
Symptoms of COVID-19 usually include fever, cough, and sometimes shortness of breath. Unless you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, it is unlikely you need to go to an emergency room. Health care providers are in the best position to determine if an individual should be tested for COVID-19 in collaboration with Public Health. Make sure you contact your health care provider ahead of time, if possible, to avoid exposing anyone in the waiting room. People infected with COVID-19 can spread the virus to others, even before the infected person has symptoms.
There is currently no approved treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. This is very important because a positive test will not change how an individual is treated. Similar to how we manage flu, sick children and adults with mild symptoms should stay at home, drink fluids, and take over the counter medications until they recover.”
