Belle fair attendee diagnosed with COVID-19

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The Maries-Phelps Health Department in a release issued Wednesday afternoon stated that an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 who was symptomatic and not wearing a mask was at a local event recently.

According to the release, from approximately 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, the individual was at the Belle Community Fair observing the Belle Dance Team.

In a phone call with The Advocate Wednesday afternoon, Maries-Phelps Health Department Director Ashley Wann confirmed the individual was diagnosed with COVID-19 after attending the Belle fair.

Any individuals that were at the preceding location need to be alert for the development of symptoms of COVID-19, practice social distancing, and wear a mask while in public for 14 days from date of potential exposure. Those who develop symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others immediately and alert their healthcare provider.

Individuals with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. It is important to acknowledge that some individuals experience no symptoms at all during their course of illness but may still be spreading the virus. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Common symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to update the list of potential symptoms as more is discovered about COVID-19.

"As Missouri continues to reopen, it is best to assume that every location you visit is a location of potential exposure and take the appropriate precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your communities," a spokesperson for the health department stated in their release. "It is critical that each and every one of us continues to practice preventative measures to help keep the spread of communicable diseases to a minimum."

Precautions include social distancing, wearing a face-covering when in public, limiting in-person interactions, avoiding contact with people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, proper hand-washing, cleaning frequently used surfaces, and staying home when sick.

It is of the utmost importance that any individual experiencing symptoms isolate from others.