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A second case of COVID-19 has been reported in Concordia Parish, a statement from the parish Office of Emergency Preparations reported.

The Concordia Parish Office of Homeland Security said it received a report from the state of Louisiana on Monday afternoon about the patient, who was tested in a hospital in Rapides Parish after being transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The patient continues to be treated at the hospital.

That patient’s personal information is being withheld due to HIPAA.

“This is the second case that has been reported for Concordia Parish.  The patient is a resident of long-term care facility in Concordia Parish,” Parish OEP Director Timothy Vanier said. “The patient was transported to a local hospital on March 21 with an acute illness not related to the COVID-19 virus.  At the time of the transport, the patient was not showing any signs or symptoms of the COVID-19 Virus.”

Vanier said the patient began to show signs and symptoms of the COVID-19 virus on March 25 and was immediately tested.  On Monday shortly after noon, the parish officials were notified that the patient’s test results returned positive for COVID-19.

“It is impossible to say for sure, but it appears that the patient did not contract the COVID-19 virus from the long term health care facility nor did the patient expose anyone at the facility,” Vanier said. “Any resident that was in close contact with the patient has been isolated and no other residents or staff are showing any signs or symptoms of the COVID-19 Virus. Visitation for any residents in the facility has been strictly prohibited since March 12.”

“The Concordia Parish Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness would like to remind the public to be diligent in following Governor John Bel Edwards ‘Stay at Home Order,'” Vanier said. “This order is the key to flattening the curve of the spread of the COVID-19 virus not only in Concordia Parish but throughout the State of Louisiana.”