UPDATE: 3/29/20 3:00 P.M.

A third person in Washington County has tested positive for COVID-19. That's according to a press release from the Washington County Health Department.

In the same release, Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Clark says the patient is "hospitalized and responding to treatment."

Health officials are working to identify and contact anyone the person may have come into close contact with. Nursing Director Val Betkoski says after contact, those people would be put under quarantined and monitored by public health officials.

The department recommends that everyone continue to practice social distancing, good hygiene and staying at home as much as possible.

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UPDATE: 3/22/2020 6:00 P.M.

The woman recently traveled out of state and returned home on Tuesday.

After 48 hours, she contacted the doctor reporting symptoms.

"Pretty much upper respiratory symptoms including a sore throat and cough and at the time that she reported, she was having fevers," said Dr. Francis Wadskier, Marietta Memorial, infectious disease specialist. "Right now, we know that we have been following and she has no fever at this time but we have been following closely on her symptoms."

She then went to the assessment clinic in Marietta where she was tested on Friday. However, Dr. Wadskier says, they had been following up with her by phone monitoring her symptoms before getting the results back.

The woman is currently being quarantined at home and Dr. Wadskier says, her symptoms are improving.

Marietta Memorial has been taking precautions to keep staff and patients safe and will be implementing new rules this week.

"We have implemented things like restricting are visitors inside of the building, 24 hours a day. Only essential visitors that are needed for the care of the patient at that time are being allowed in this building," said Dr. Dan Breece, Memorial Health System, chief medical officer.

Officials recommend that everyone stays home and only travels for food or doctor's appointments.

ORIGINAL STORY

Health officials are reporting the first case of COVID-19 in city of Marietta.

According to a news release from the Marietta/Belpre Health Department the person is a 50-year-old woman who is now isolated at home.

She came in contact with another confirmed case outside of Washington County.

The health department says it is now contacting people that came in close contact with the woman.

Health Commissioner Anne Goon says “This confirms that COVID-19 is here. It is essential that we follow the Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton’s orders, this means stay home. The changes we make now will save lives”.

Officials say that If you have mild symptoms, stay home. And if you are having severe symptoms you should contact your healthcare provider.

They are also reminding everyone to continue to practice social distancing and take all measures to protect yourself and others from the spread of the coronavirus.

For general questions regarding COVID-19, please contact the appropriate state hotline number: Ohio Department of Health: 1-833-427-5634 or www.coronavirus.ohio.gov

West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources: 1-800-887-4304

For medical questions regarding COVID-19, please contact the appropriate 24/7 triage number:

Memorial Health System 24/7 nurse advice line: 1-844-474-6522

WVU Medicine COVID-19 triage number: 304-598-6000 opt. 4