TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHR) – The Tippecanoe County Health Department Wednesday issued a public health alert to heighten awareness to the growing threat from COVID-19.
Health officials said some residents have already been tested for the virus and got answers to questions that people have been asking.
The Tippecanoe County Health Department tested a small number of people suspected of being sickened by COVID-19.
The results are in and all tests came back negative, according to County Health Officer Dr. Jeremy Adler.
“They are individuals who have traveled from areas of the world where coronavirus is more prevalent," Alder said.
He put the number at less than 10 and said all exhibited flu-like symptoms.
People have lots of questions about this new seemingly unstoppable virus.
For instance, can someone be infected with COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, not look or feel sick? The answer is yes.
However, Alder said, "The spread of the illness by a symptomatic people, that is people who don’t show symptoms has not been a major factor in coronavirus."
People who are sickened by COVID-19 virus receive a wide range of treatments.
“Anywhere from basic support care measures that one would use where one has the cold or flu, all the way up to hospitalization which would include oxygen, IV fluids and other sorts of general medical general support,” Alder said.
The illness can last one to two weeks.
How long are victims contagious?
“That is not known,” Adler said.
The county health officer urged residents to take common precautions and rely less on social media and more on medical professionals to get accurate information.