Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Lower Providence Township Police Officer Tests Presumed Positive For COVID-19, Officials Say
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) -- Officials say a Lower Providence Township police officer has tested presumed positive for the coronavirus. This makes it the ninth COVID-19 case in Montgomery County.
Officials say the 35-year-old man from Perkiomen Township has started a self-isolation period at home.
"His symptoms do not require hospitalization and he is currently at home being monitored. This individual had direct contact with a previously announced presumptive positive individual," Montgomery County Chair Dr. Valerie Arkoosh said.
The county's Office of Public Health says it is working to determine who the officer came into contact with while infected. It's not clear if he was working or interacting with the public.
"I'm not completely surprised but I'm still very concerned," Bill Kilgour said.
Kilgour has lived in Lower Providence for three decades. He's a member of the business association and hopes the news of additional coronavirus cases does not cause panic.
"I think people will realize it was inevitable," he said. "It's going to happen, somebody in Lower Providence was going to be exposed. I don't think there will be panic. But again, it's a very serious situation, no question about it."
Meanwhile, Bucks County is dealing with its first two coronavirus cases.
Both are adults from the same home. They are now in isolation with mild symptoms.
Officials say they were infected at an out-of-state gathering.
"Importantly, that continues the idea that there's no community spread here in Bucks County, that we know of currently," Bucks County Health Department Director David Damsker said.
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Health officials have contacted all people the two Bucks County individuals had contact with and those people have been asked to self-quarantine.
Pennsylvania now has 16 cases of COVID-19. Most of the patients contracted the virus while traveling outside the state or country, but there are some cases of local infection.
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine says there is no evidence of sustained community spread.
"What is most important to remember is please stay calm, we have the networks in place and the collaborations in place and we will work for a healthy Pennsylvania for all," Levine said.
Health officials are recommending that large gatherings or big public events be canceled or postponed, and there are expanded reminders in addition to handwashing and social distancing, as people should avoid handshakes and hugging.
CBS3's Stephanie Stahl and Greg Argos contributed to this report.
