The City of Marshall announced via social media Thursday that Harrison County now has its first case of COVID-19.

Dr. Ricky Paul with the Harrison County Health Authority announced in a statement that the resident who tested positive for the virus contracted it from travel outside of Texas, and so far no community spread has been seen. He said the risk to Harrison County residents remains low and in order to keep it that way, residents are strongly encouraged to follow these recommendations:

1. Limit non-essential travel

2. No social gatherings

3. Practice social distancing (at least six feet away from other people)

4. Stay home if you are sick

5. Limit trips into the public to essential outings such as traveling to work, the grocery store, the pharmacy, or to seek medical care

Dr. Paul said that if you are having symptoms of fever, shortness of breath, and cough, please contact your primary care provider for evaluation as soon as possible.

If you do not have a primary care doctor, you can call the CHRISTUS COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-458-4559 to review your symptoms and receive instructions on testing, if appropriate. You will also receive instructions on self-isolation.

Not everyone who has symptoms requires testing.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to grow in East Texas. Smith County now sits at 21 confirmed cases.

The Harrison County case is the 34th confirmed positive case in East Texas.

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