Lincoln County Health Department announces new coronavirus case

A 50-year-old male has tested positive for coronavirus, Lincoln County Health Department officials announced in a July 9 Facebook post. The department is conducting a contact investigation while investigating a possible cluster in Libby.

Currently, there are five known active cases and 12 cases total in Lincoln County.

Public Health Manager Jennifer McCully and Public Health Nurse Trista Gilmore held a Facebook Live event to field questions from residents on July 10.

McCully and Gilmore said they would not identify the man who recently tested positive for the virus but have been in contact with people who were in close proximity to him. Most cases of transmission occur when a person spends 15 minutes or longer within six feet of a carrier, according to McCully.

Even if a case appears to have originated at a large event, only those who have been near the infected person will be contacted, Gilmore said.

McCully and Gilmore recommended that the public follow guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and wear masks.