Eddy County has its first recorded case of COVID-19

Eddy County's first positive case of COVID-19 was recorded today (April 3), and the individual spoke with me this morning to share his story. Eric Myhre of rural Sheyenne wants the community to know that this is not an instance of community spread, nor are residents at risk.

Myhre had traveled to Europe and then self-quarantined in Minnesota at his family's lake home for two weeks after he returned to the U.S. He was effectively out of the county for 20 days and was not in physical contact with anyone during that time.

"This is serious. Use the recommended precautions issued by the CDC. If you or someone in your household is sick, everyone in the household should self-isolate for 14 days," Myhre advised.

He returned to his home in rural Sheyenne on Sunday, March 29, a full 48 hours after he was cleared to do so by both his family doctor and the North Dakota Department of Health.

There is no risk of community spread with this individual case. Myhre is recorded as both a new positive case due to travel and a recovered individual at the same time today. Community members should not fear that they could be infected by him.

Read his full story in our online edition, to be posted tomorrow morning. Since the April 6 paper went to press before this story broke, it will be published in the April 13 print edition.