Collin County man tests 'presumptive positive' for COVID-19 coronavirus

Collin County man in 30s tests ‘presumptive positive’ for COVID-19

Frisco ISD said the man is a parent of at least one student at Tadlock Elementary School.

McKINNEY, Texas - A Frisco man has tested "presumptive positive" for the COVID-19 virus, officials said on Monday.

The Collin County Health Department said the man in his late 30s has a “presumptive positive” case of the coronavirus after recently traveling to California. Frisco ISD said the man is a parent of at least one student at Tadlock Elementary School.

Officials said the man is currently in self-quarantine at his home and being monitored by county health staffers. He's described to be in "stable" condition and not needing hospitalization at this time. The man’s family is also in self-quarantine as a precaution.

If state lab testing confirms the initial results, this would be the first confirmed case of coronavirus in North Texas.

Officials said the man recently traveled to Silicon Valley in Northern California. When he came back last week, he developed flu like symptoms, contacted the county and got tested at a private lab.

“Up to this point he's been very responsible to work with our county health services and I suspect he's doing that at his home as well,” said Collin County Judge Chris Hill.

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The risk of spread of the virus remains low, health officials said, at this time. The man's family is being monitored and officials are working to determine any other people who might have been exposed.

"They'll backtrack all of those contacts and places of travel and notify the appropriate people that need to notified in terms of who may have had contact with the patient,” said Mark Piland, Frisco Emergency Management Coordinator.

Frisco ISD officials said they're working with the health department on "additional steps to help contain further exposure to our community for when our students return to school from Spring Break."

The district said there was no indication the man ever went to the campus after returning from California.

Collin County Commissioners opened their Monday meeting with a prayer for those affected.

“I would like everyone to know we’re ready. Our healthcare services team, while all of us recognizes this is a big news event, for the healthcare staff this is just everyday work. This is what they do 365 days a year,” Hill said.

Collin County is also monitoring approximately 49 other people for any possible symptoms.

Collin County officials: We’re ready for coronavirus

Coronavirus health tips

While COVID-19 is a new respiratory virus, daily precautions recommended to prevent respiratory illnesses are the same:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when you can't wash your hands.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, use the elbow of your sleeve. Don’t use your hands to cover coughs and sneezes.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home when you are sick and keep children home when they are sick.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Get a flu shot. (Although the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, it is flu season.)