Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Western Tidewater Health District has now verified a positive test in Isle of Wight County for COVID-19, according to a Friday press release from Isle of Wight County.

The patient is a 27-year-old female with a Smithfield address, the news release stated.

“The WTHD is beginning their evaluation of the case and their potential contact investigation process,” the press release stated. “Any individuals at high risk of having been exposed to COVID-19 through contact with this person will be contacted by the health department as part of the contact investigation process.”

This is the second case reported in the Western Tidewater Health District. A Suffolk man in his 50s was confirmed to have the virus on Thursday.

The Western Tidewater Health District includes Suffolk, Franklin, and Isle of Wight and Southampton counties.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and the outbreak was first identified in China in December. Since that time, it has spread worldwide and been classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Statewide in Virginia, the number of people with positive cases of COVID-19 stood at least at 115 at noon Friday.

To lower the risk of respiratory germ spread, including COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health encourages the following effective behaviors:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Avoid non-essential travel.
• Practice social distancing. Maintain at least six feet of space between yourself and other individuals when out in public.
• Avoid crowds of more than 10 people.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, the press release stated. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to  others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings.

Call your healthcare professional if you feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Stay home except for getting medical care.

If you have questions about COVID-19 or what actions you should take, visit the VDH (www.vdh.virginia.gov) or CDC (www.cdc.gov) websites. The VDH also has an information hotline — 877-ASK-VDH3 — that you can call to get answers to your COVID-19 questions.