MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department has reported two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the county total to 19.
The two latest are a female in her 20s and a female in her 50s, according to a news release from the health department late Monday night. Both women are recovering at home.
"One of the positive cases is an employee at Dillons, 1320 North Main Street, McPherson. This individual attended work on April 16, 17, 18, and 19, from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you were a customer at Dillons during the listed dates and times, you may have been exposed to COVID-19," the health department noted.
Symptoms for COVID-19 appear two-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, according to information from the health department. Other rarer symptoms that may develop include malaise, sore throat, and diarrhea. If you develop any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider and inform them you that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and now have symptoms. You must stay home for at least seven days after symptoms started or for 72 hours after fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and with significant improvement in symptoms, whichever is longer, the health department noted.
"If you were at the above Dillons store during these specific dates and develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 between two and 14 days later, please call your local health care provider. If you do not have a provider, please call your local hospital or the McPherson County Health Department at 620-241-1753 or email [email protected]," the health department requested.
“We have received word from an associate at our McPherson store, who has tested positive for COVID-19,” said Sheila Lowrie, Dillon Stores spokeswoman. “We are supporting our associate with an emergency paid leave and share our best for quick recovery. At the present time, we are working directly to support our store team and are continuing to follow all sanitation and cleaning procedures as recommended by the CDC. We are also committed to following guidance from local, state and federal agencies, including the CDC and other health organizations.”