Collin County identifies three confirmed cases of coronavirus

The county released a statement the day before that a presumptive positive case had been identified in a Frisco man in his 30s. The man, as well as his wife and three-year-old child, have now tested positive. The couple has three other children, two of whom tested negative and one whose test was inconclusive. That child is being re-tested, according to the county. A close family friend also tested negative.

In a March 9 email to parents from Frisco ISD Superintendent Mike Waldrip, the district confirmed that one of the man's children attends Tadlock Elementary School.

In the email, the district said that Tadlock will receive a special cleaning over spring break. District officials also asked that students and faculty traveling to China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Japan or any additional countries added to the CDC Level 2 and 3 list stay home for 14 days after returning from break.

All seven individuals are in self-quarantine in their homes and are in stable condition, the release stated. The county health department has been monitoring the man’s family and is working to identify any contacts who may have been exposed while he was infectious. According to the March 9 statement, county health care staff will reach out directly to anyone found to have had close contact with the patient.

The father is believed to have been exposed to the virus while on a business trip to California in late February. He did not show any symptoms while flying home, and officials said he did not pose a risk to others who were on the same plane. Health officials also confirmed that the family’s school-aged children did not have symptoms and were not contagious at any time while at school.

The risk of coronavirus transmission remains low in Collin County, according to the county, but residents are still encouraged to avoid exposure to the virus by using everyday preventative measures. Those include the following:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth;
• Stay home when you are sick;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and then, throw the tissue in the trash;
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe;
• Follow CDC recommendations for using a face mask;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, and always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty; and
• Consult the CDC travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the U.S.

Coronavirus symptoms may appear between two to 14 days after exposure and may include fever, cough and/or shortness of breath.

The county does not have an on-site laboratory to test for coronavirus, but two commercial businesses with location in Collin County, Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, have announced their capability to preform testing, according to a March 6 county news release.

“Collin County does not endorse any commercial laboratory,” the March 6 release stated. “Decisions on which laboratory to use are made by the ordering provider and/or their healthcare facility and/or the individual being tested. Please refer to the respective laboratory for specific specimen collection, storage and shipping protocols.”

For questions, the county is encouraging people to call Collin County Health Services at 972-548-4707 during business hours or the sheriff's dispatch at 972-547-5350 for calls after hours.

More information on coronavirus can be found at the county's website here.