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Fourth case of coronavirus confirmed in Stamford

The resident had recently traveled and came home Tuesday showing symptoms of the virus

MERIDEN, Conn. — This article is from March 12 -- for the very latest on COVID-19, click here.

A fourth person has been confirmed to have coronavirus in Connecticut. 

Officials in Stamford say that a resident who returned from international travel was preemptively isolated at Stamford Hospital. 

Late-Wednesday, the resident had tested positive for COVID-19. 

It's the first case reported in Stamford, and the fourth case reported in the state. 

Officials say that the infection was not contracted in the United States or Stamford itself. 

“We anticipated this event for the past two months. We were — and are — ready to take care of patients in a safe and effective manner” said Stamford Health’s Chief of Infectious Diseases Dr. Michael Parry.

Officials say that the resident arrived at John. F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday with presenting symptoms of the virus. 

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The family picked them up and followed recommended guidelines for those who recently traveled from areas with a high number of cases. The resident was immediately given a facemask, gloves, and traveled by a private car to minimize exposure to others, officials said. 

When they arrived at the hospital, the resident was taken into isolation at the hospital and will remain in isolation until they are deemed well by medical professionals. 

 At this time, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health and Stamford’s Department of Health do not believe the individual or the individual’s family exposed any other Stamford residents to the virus, however, the individual’s family has been placed in voluntary quarantine at home as a precautionary measure.

“I applaud these residents for following the recommended precautionary measures in this incident,” said Mayor David Martin. “These measures are the type of small changes we can make in our habits to reduce exposure risk in Stamford’s community.”

Get complete coverage of the coronavirus by texting 'FACTS' to 860-527-6161. 

Protect yourself from coronavirus

Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
WHO: If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.

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