Durham County health officials said a resident tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Wednesday while outside of North Carolina.

A message from the county’s health department said the resident was not in North Carolina state when they began feeling symptoms and were tested. The individual will remain out-of-state while recovering.

The release said the individual began experiencing symptoms on March 3 before driving out of North Carolina on March 5.

“Because this individual was not in close contact with any Durham residents, the risk to Durham County is low,” said Rod Jenkins, Director of Durham County Department of Public Health. “Our public health team is continuing to work with state and federal health officials, healthcare providers, and emergency management officials to protect the health and well-being of Durham County residents.”  

The case will not count toward North Carolina’s eight identified cases currently in the state. Wake County officials said Wednesday another resident in its their county also tested positive for COVID-19. Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in an effort to limit the ongoing spread of the virus.

To read the full release from Durham County, visit the county government’s website.