Second COVID-19 case detected in Lincoln County

Less than a day after confirming Lincoln County’s first COVID-19 patient, local health officials say they identified another resident with the illness.

The individual had come into direct contact with a person who already contracted the novel coronavirus, officials said in a statement. The Lincoln County COVID-19 Task Force announced the second case about 8:07 p.m. on March 26.

Few other details about the individual were released. Officials said patient confidentiality laws as well as safety concerns for the individual and their family played a role in the decision to limit the public dissemination of information.

On Wednesday, officials announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Lincoln County. They described that patient as an individual in their 70s who had traveled out of state.

Health department staff members have since contacted residents who may have interacted with either individual, officials said.

“If you have not received a call from the health department regarding contact with a case, you are not a considered a close contact,” officials said in a statement.

Residents with questions regarding COVID-19 are urged to call the Lincoln County information hotline at 406-293-6295.