Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Beaumont Public Health Department received confirmation of another positive case Thursday of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a Beaumont resident bringing the current number to 8.

The ages of confirmed cases range from 23 to 79.

Six people are recuperating at home and two are hospitalized. For confidentiality purposes, BPHD is not releasing any additional information to identify the individual. BPHD is conducting an epidemiological investigation and is working to quickly identify close contacts of the individual. Those may include family, friends, co-workers and other potential contacts.

Community spread is a realistic possibility and citizens must make all efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

These are steps you must take to keep you and your loved ones protected:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Stay home if you are sick.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash. If tissues are not available, cough and sneeze into your elbow. Do not cough and sneeze into your hands.

• Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Get a flu shot. The flu vaccine does not offer protection against COVID-19, but it is also flu season.

• Avoid crowds of more than 10 people.

Call your healthcare provider if you are experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath and are concerned you have come in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient or have a history of travel from affected geographic areas within 14 days of symptom onset.

It is important that you call first so your healthcare provider can evaluate your risk and determine your need to be seen in person so that other patients are not potentially put at risk. Roughly 80 percent of those who fall ill with COVID-19 will experience mild symptoms similar to those of the flu and will recover without needing any hospitalization.

Those who are at a higher risk for COVID-19 and developing complications include older adults and those with underlying health conditions including diabetes, heart disease and lung disease.