Webster County’s first positive case of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, was confirmed on Thursday, according to the Webster County Public Health.

The individual has recovered from the virus, the Health Department reported.

The Webster County resident is in the 18-40 age group, according to Kelli Bloomquist, public information officer for the Emergency Operations Center for Webster County.

Test results typically take between four and seven days to be returned from the date of the testing, Bloomquist reported.

A specific date for when this individual was tested cannot be released, according to Bloomquist. Other identifying information such as what city the patient lives in can also not be released as it violates the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and other guidelines set forth by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Bloomquist said Webster County Public Health was informed of the test results Thursday morning, which was the same time the Iowa Department of Public Health was informed.

In terms of people who may have had contact with the ill patient, Bloomquist said, “The people who met the criteria for notification were notified by Webster County Public Health.”

Meanwhile, Wright County also confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on Thursday. That individual, who is aged 41-60, is self-isolating at home, according to Wright County Supervisor Karl Helgevold. Helgevold is serving as the public information officer for that county.

Webster County Public Health Director Kari Prescott continues to urge caution and responsibility in regards to slowing the spread of the virus.

“While this is Webster County’s first case, it may not be the last, and that’s why we encourage all residents to continue to make prevention a priority,” Prescott said.

According to Prescott, these actions include: washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm and staying home when ill.

Approximately 80% of Iowans infected with COVID-19, will experience only a mild to moderate illness, Prescott said. Most mildly ill Iowans do not need to go to their health care provider or be tested to confirm they have COVID-19.

Sick Iowans must stay home and isolate themselves from others in their house, according to the Health Department.

The Health Department advises people to stay home and isolate from others in the house until: you have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) and other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) and at least seven days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

People who believe they need health care are asked to call first. Providers can assess whether patients need to be seen in the office or if they can recover at home. There may also be options for patients to talk to a medical provider from home using technology.

For additional questions, contact Webster County Health Department at 515-573-4107 or after hours call 515-227-7153.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit the IDPH webpage at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-IssuWebster County’s first positive case of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been confirmed, according to the Webster County Health Department.

Fort Dodge and Webster County community leaders share in these videos how the emergency operations team is responding to the COVID-19 emergency.

The videos can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh_vw3k5iFZFWBJu9PUbk19l6Cm4PWypr

Webster County Public Health has videos on their Facebook page to help answer questions the public might have.