Steuben County, IN - It’s the news Steuben County residents have known would likely become a reality, as the Steuben County Health Department, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), has confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus in a Steuben county resident.

It was announced Saturday morning in a news release “one adult over the age of 60 years old and is in isolation at an Allen county hospital and being treated for symptoms”. No additional information about the patient was released due to patient privacy laws.

Officials with the Steuben County Health Department say they are “working closely on this case to identify and monitor any close contacts of the patient who might have been exposed to ensure that appropriate precautions are taken in accordance with the latest CDC guidance”.

The Health Department reminds area residents “the coronavirus is most commonly spread from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing or by close personal contact such as shaking hands”. If you believe you are experiencing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) symptoms you should NOT go to a healthcare facility without contacting the one of two resources first: Either the Steuben County Health Department at 260-668-1000 ext. 1500 during normal business hours or Cameron Hospital’s 24/7 COVID-19 Resource Line, call 260-667-5555.