Beaumont confirms first coronavirus case

Click through for what to do if you're infected Click through for what to do if you're infected Photo: CDC/ C.S. Goldsmith And A. Tamin Photo: CDC/ C.S. Goldsmith And A. Tamin Image 1 of / 37 Caption Close Beaumont confirms first coronavirus case 1 / 37 Back to Gallery

The city of Beaumont has confirmed its first positive case of COVID-19.

The individual is currently being quarantined and the Beaumont Public Health Department is not releasing any additional information, according to a news release from the city of Beaumont.

Public Health Director Sherry Ulmer said the person was self-quarantined before the results were delivered and has been "urged" to keep doing so.

Ulmer, however, refused to give any information about where the virus likely was contracted and whether it was contracted in the community or while traveling to a virus hotspot.

"We wouldn't disclose any personal information at this time because the risk to the community at this point is still low," she said. "We've continued to remind everyone to wash their hands and observe social distancing, which would prevent any possible infections."

The individual was not severe enough to be hospitalized, which experts say can be common among younger, healthy people.

Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said in light of the first positive case, he's considering making changes to his emergency order but planned to wait to officially sign anything until after an announcement by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. He was unsure Wednesday afternoon what Abbott's announcement would include.

He also didn't say what changes he's considering, but the Jefferson County Commissioners met Tuesday to discuss, among other virus-related issues, the potential limiting of operations of bars and restaurants.

Beaumont Dr. Ray Callas told the commissioners that one of the best ways to stop the spread of the virus is to limit community contact. That's in part because it's highly likely that these younger, healthy people, who may not know they have the virus, already are walking around with mild symptoms but a high "viral load," meaning they can quickly infect other people.

"We understand this positive case may concern our community, but at this time there is no evidence of community spread," the department's release said, although it did not specify how the person contracted the virus. "The immediate risk for Beaumont residents remains low."

The health department is investigating the case and working to identify anyone the individual came in "close contact" with, which could include family, friends, co-workers and others.

In the meantime, public health experts are repeating that the best tools for containment and eventually ending the pandemic is for people to remember the social responsibility shared by everyone to reduce any unnecessary contact.

"It's important to remember it is a new virus, there is no immunity in the population and no vaccine or treatment," Ulmer said. "It's a strange and difficult time, but ask people to trust that these restrictions have been put in place for a reason."

This report will be updated.