‘Presumptive positive case’ of COVID-19 found in Fort Bend County, officials say

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — City leaders in Stafford are now investigating after they were notified about a patient who came back as presumptive positive case for COVID-19 in Fort Bend County.

The Stafford fire chief says they responded to a call on Tuesday morning and three firefighters then assisted the patient.

“Our personnel on the fire truck assisted with patient care, packaging and loading the patient. We then returned to service. EMS transported to a local facility here in the Fort Bend County area. Additional steps and tests were taken at the hospital,” said Chief Larry Di Camillo.

Fort Bend County health officials say a presumptive positive case came back concerning a man in his 70s, who had recently been abroad.

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The test was sent to the CDC in Atlanta by plane.

Once they receive it, county officials say it takes between 24-48 hours to get results. The county says the patient was in stable condition at the hospital.

News of the virus has left the community on edge.

Pediatrician Dr. Subodh Bhuchar says the key is not to panic.

“I want to make sure people understand, it’s not something as ordinary or as frequent as we’ve seen in the regular flu. We’ve seen so many regular flus a (coronavirus) is going to be one of the rare things.”

As far the as the three firefighters, the chief says they are not showing any symptoms of the virus. If the tests comes back positive from the CDC then they’ll seek guidance from health officials.