Gregg County has First Case of Coronavirus

LONGVIEW — An outbreak of coronavirus that originally started in Wuhan China in January, has made it to East Texas. On Tuesday, NET Health’s Russell Hopkins told KTBB, “the unidentified patient has been released from the hospital and has isolated themselves inside their home with mild symptoms.” The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director continued saying, “we believe the virus was contracted by travel association with-in the continental United States.”

Hopkins continued by saying, “it does not appear that the virus is spreading through out the community at this time.” At a press conference on Tuesday, authorities reminded citizens that the infection is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. People at higher risk for serious complications are the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Residents are reminded to use good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory viruses.