An Anoka County resident hospitalized since Monday and in critical condition is Minnesota’s third coronavirus case.

The Minnesota Department of Health announced the case Tuesday afternoon. The patient is in their 30s and not believed to have underlying health problems.

The patient developed symptoms on Feb. 28 and sought medical care on March 3 and again on March 9. State health officials said it was appropriate the person was not tested for COVID-19 the first time they sought health care because their symptoms and circumstances at the time didn’t warrant it.

“The person sought health care, was evaluated, and it was not appropriate for that person to be admitted,” said Kris Ehresmann, director of infectious disease for the state. “They were sent home because that’s what their symptoms called for at that time.”

The person was tested on Monday and the results came back positive Tuesday. Officials believe the patient was exposed to the virus through contact with international travelers while in another state.

Minnesota’s criteria for testing patients has expanded since the state got the ability March 3 to test locally. People with symptoms who fear they may have been exposed should contact their health care provider.

CORONAVIRUS ADVICE: What to do (and not do) as the virus looms

Health officials are working with Anoka County Public Health staff to find anyone the patient may have come in contact with, Ehresmann said. Immediate family members and people who live with the patient are at the highest risk.

Anyone who is in close contact with a patient — within six feet for 10 minutes or longer — is also at an elevated risk of contracting the virus. The lowest risk are people who had brief contact with a patient.

People believed to be at risk of contracting COVID-19 will be asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure date and will be monitored.

Ehresmann said the number of people at risk of exposure was unknown, but likely relatively low.

It will be more challenging to investigate the Anoka County patient’s contacts because they are being hospitalized.

“We are working with family members to get information on potential exposures,” Ehresmann said. “We have to be sensitive to the fact this individual’s health care is a higher priority than answering our questions.”

Minnesota’s early cases, patients in Ramsey and Carver counties, were reported this past weekend.

Both were reported to be recovering in isolation in their homes. Wisconsin officials reported Monday a resident of Pierce County — located just across the state line — had tested positive for coronavirus.

Shakopee schools sent a notice Monday that the parent of preschool students at Eagle Creek Elementary had been exposed to a patient with coronavirus. In Wisconsin, the Osceola School District canceled classes Tuesday after leaders learned an ill individual attended a Destination Imagination event at the high school Saturday.

Minnesota has tested about 135 samples for the coronavirus and has reported three cases. All case reports are considered presumptive until the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirms the results.

To learn more about coronavirus, go to the state’s website at www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus. The state has a public hotline that can be called 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; the number is 651-201-3920.

Health officials also stressed residents take precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus:

Stay home and away from others if you are sick.

Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.

Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water.

Avoid touching your face throughout the day.

Since the outbreak began in December in Wuhan, China, there have been 116,000 cases worldwide and more than 4,000 deaths. In the U.S. there have been 756 cases and 26 deaths.