Haywood Covid-19 Update
Community January 11, 2022
New COVID-19 Quarantine Policy for Haywood County Schools
Community, News November 9, 2021
Beginning November 9, 2021, Haywood County Public Schools in partnership with the
Haywood County Health Department, will implement a new COVID-19 quarantine policy
change. In certain cases, students will be required to complete a 10-day quarantine,
instead of the previous 14-day quarantine period (from most recent exposure) for
students and staff who are considered close contacts.
This change comes following a careful review of current school policies and the status
of COVID-19 as it impacts public health in Haywood County and the greater Western
North Carolina region.
“We appreciate the ongoing meetings and conversations with local public health
officials,” said Dr. Bill Nolte, Superintendent. “Our work has resulted in a quarantine
modification designed to obtain additional in-person learning time while maintaining
safety. As always, we will monitor the modification to determine if additional changes
are appropriate.”
“We in public health are committed to the health and safety of our community and have
made in-person learning our priority when working with Haywood County Schools
administration. We realize the importance of keeping children in the classroom and are
making every effort to do so. We will continue to work closely with school administration
to assess the situation, provide guidance, and re-evaluate if need be,” said Sarah
Henderson, public health director.
The CDC continues to recommend that anyone who has had a close contact to
someone who is COVID-positive quarantine for 14 days starting from the last day of any
exposure. This has meant 14 days of complete separation from anyone this quarantined
person could expose should they become positive themselves.
Current CDC guidance also offers options to modify the requirements of the quarantine
period. This new guidance reflects those options and allows the school system to
balance the concerns of in-person learning and safety.
Schools provide a safe and supportive environment for the social and emotional
development of our children. Children need human interaction, physical activity, and
healthy meals to maintain their mental health, and schools offer all of those things. At
school, children are learning to socialize and form healthy connections with their peers.
Face-to-face instruction and hands-on skills that students so desperately need cannot
be replicated as well outside of the classroom.
Bringing children together in a classroom allows teachers to guide students according to
their unique abilities and learning styles. This change in guidance reflects the desire for
students to remain in school with face-to-face instruction in as safe an environment as
possible.
For the last 18 months, Haywood Schools have followed the most up-to-date guidance
in making decisions that move our school-aged children closer to this desire. Public
health continues to monitor community transmission, vaccination coverage, test
positivity, and occurrences of outbreaks to guide recommendations and decisions about
the level of layered prevention strategies (masking, social distancing, hand hygiene,
etc.) necessary to keep our students and staff safe.
Universal masking within the school system along with isolation for those who become
infected and quarantine for those at high risk of becoming infected after a close contact
exposure has resulted in decreasing and nearly eliminating school-based transmission.
How the new policy will be implemented:
Asymptomatic, unvaccinated, close contacts can discontinue at-home quarantine at 10
days ONLY if the following criteria are met:
• Do clinical evidence of COVID-19 has been elicited by daily symptom monitoring
during the entirety of quarantine up to the time at which quarantine is
discontinued; AND,
• Daily symptom monitoring continues through quarantine Day 14; AND,
• Persons adhere strictly to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions
through quarantine day 14: correct and consistent mask use, social distancing,
hand and cough hygiene, environmental cleaning and disinfection, avoiding
crowds, ensuring adequate indoor ventilation, and self-monitoring for symptoms
of COVID-19 illness through quarantine day 14.
• If ANY symptoms develop, they should immediately self-isolate and contact the
local public health authority or their healthcare provider to report this change in
clinical status.
What does a modified quarantine look like?
• 10 days of quarantine have been completed and no symptoms have been
reported during daily at home monitoring.
• If the student/staff remains asymptomatic, they may return to school on day 11.
• Testing is not required to return to school.
• The individual should continue to monitor symptoms and strictly adhere to all
non-pharmaceutical interventions (e.g. wear a mask, practice social distancing)
through the full 14 days after the date of last exposure, both at home and when
they go out and about.
• A person can transmit the virus anytime during the 14-day period, but data show
this is less after day 10. Therefore, it is important for a student or staff member in
quarantine to acknowledge their responsibility in making this protocol achieve the
stated goal by remaining at home, separated from other people, including
members of their household, as much as possible, during the entire 14-day
quarantine period. A student or staff member should not attend other extra-
curricular or social activities while they are in the 14-day quarantine period. They
should not participate in activities like sporting events, play dates, parties, social
and family gatherings, music or theater performances, and other events where
they may come into contact with other people.
• When quarantined, you will be asked to sign a statement that shows a
commitment to all the requirements of this protocol change.
The Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency and Haywood County
Schools will closely monitor the impact of this change and review the results after 30
days to decide whether this protocol continues to advance our goal of in person learning
as safely as possible and whether this protocol change should be continued or can be
further modified.
Haywood County Schools
1230 North Main Street
Waynesville, NC 28786
www.haywood.k12.nc.us
Contact: Dr. Bill Nolte, Superintendent
Following the data, North Carolina will remain paused in Phase 3
News, Press Release October 22, 2020
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina will remain paused in Phase 3 for three more weeks as health officials continue to monitor North Carolina’s viral trends. North Carolina has seen increased hospitalizations and trajectory of cases in recent weeks. Governor Cooper underscored the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and using good judgment despite fatigue or frustration with the pandemic.
“As this pandemic continues, I know it’s difficult and tiring to keep up our guard, especially when we’re gathered with people we love. But it’s necessary. No one wants to spread COVID-19 accidentally to friends or family, so we must keep prevention at the forefront,” said Governor Cooper. “Wearing a mask shows you care about people. Wearing a mask is an easy way to protect our communities and look out for each other. Confronting the virus head on and doing our part as individuals is good for our health and good for our economy.”
Also today, Governor Cooper updated on progress with the NC Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) program. Since Governor Cooper announced the (HOPE) Program last week, 12,000 eligible applicants have filed for assistance. The HOPE Program provides assistance to eligible low-and-moderate income renters experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic by making direct payments to landlords and utility companies. People can apply for help by calling 2-1-1 or going to nc211.org/hope.
“As the number of applications climbs higher every day, it should make us remember that it’s more than a number. Every one of those applications represents a family having to make impossible choices between basic necessities during a global pandemic,” said Governor Cooper.
Cases are going up from August 21.
Yesterday, Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen and Secretary of Department of Public Safety Erik Hooks sent a letter to local officials in communities with increased viral spread urging their continued action in fighting COVID-19 and suggesting additional measures to mitigate its spread. Read more about that letter here.
“We are doing everything we can to slow the spread of this virus. This simple fact is we can’t do it on our own. Ignoring the virus doesn’t make it go away – just the opposite,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “As hard as this is, it will end. We will get through this. Let’s do it by looking out for one another. Whatever your reason, get behind the mask.”
Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is level.
Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory of cases is increasing.
In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.
Laboratory Testing
- Testing capacity is high.
Tracing Capability
- The state is continuing to hire contact tracers to bolster the efforts of local health departments.
- There have been almost 250,000 downloads of the exposure notification app, SlowCOVIDNC.
Personal Protective Equipment
- North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.
Read Executive Order 170.
Read the slides from today’s briefing.
Ask The Doc! Fighting Off Covid-19
Community, Lifestyle October 2, 2020
This morning, The doctors address a comment left on one of the Ask The Doc Segments. What drugs are good for fighting off Covid-19 or do we just wait on a vaccine? The Doctors also address the President and first lady testing positive for Covid-19. What do the Doctors have to say about testing positive with no symptoms? When could he have contracted the virus? How long has he had it? All this and more on Ask The Doc!
Ask The Doc! College And Covid-19
Lifestyle September 28, 2020
This morning, the doctors discuss how colleges are dealing with Covid-19. When a Student tests positive, the colleges continue classes and give the infected student their own quarantined dorm. Is this the approach we should be taking with everything? Should we worry over the numbers? Hear Doctor Whaley and Doctor Tidman’s point of view on this right here on Ask the Doc!
COVID-19 case numbers for Haywood County
Uncategorized May 18, 2020
HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. – As part of the effort to keep the county informed, Haywood County Health Department (HCHD) issues daily detailed updates about the status of COVID-19.
The following information is from the September 23rd update.
There are currently 587 laboratory-verified cases in Haywood County. In the last seven days, there have been 26 cases There have been 31 deaths, and 511 recovered from the virus. Currently, 37 are in isolation and 47 in quarantine.
There have been a total of 15,011 tests conducted by HCHD.
Statewide the NCDHHS has confirmed 196,501 cases in 99 N.C. counties. 912 are currently hospitalized, and 3,345 have died.
HCHD also emphasizes that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:
- At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
- At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
If you become sick with a respiratory type illness and are in one of the following categories, please contact the HCHD at 828-452-6620 or your primary care provider to determine if you need to be tested.
NCDHHS using media to educate marginalized populations on COVID-19
Community, Press Release May 27, 2020
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is using radio and video messages to reach historically marginalized populations to share important messages about reducing risks for COVID-19. The messages are part of the Department’s focus during the COVID-19 response to address the underlying causes of long-standing health disparities impacting communities of color across North Carolina.
NCDHHS is partnering with key influencers who represent the communities hardest hit by COVID-19 to deliver messages about precautions, testing and contact tracing that resonate with historically marginalized populations. The Department has been working with Radio One, whose market includes urban areas and communities of color, to air a series of preventive messages from prominent leaders, including former Congresswoman Eva Clayton, faith leader Reverend Prince R. Rivers and physician Dr. Roxie Wells.
African Americans and LatinX/Hispanic communities make up a disproportionate number of North Carolina’s COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases and deaths. African Americans make up an estimated 22 percent of North Carolina’s population and 31 percent (as of May 26, 2020) of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases and 35 percent of deaths. LatinX/Hispanic populations make 9.6 percent of North Carolina’s population and 35 percent of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Disparities in health occur when the impact of a health risk is impacting a larger percentage of the population than the population’s representation within the general population.
“These disparate outcomes need to be called out – and addressed. In addition to the actions we are taking to reverse these trends, we need to be sure that our communities of color are getting the information they need to protect themselves and their loved ones. I am so appreciative to partner with these prominent and trusted leaders,” says Dr. Michelle Laws, Assistant Director for the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services and co-lead of the NCDHHS COVID-19 response team focused on historically marginalized populations.
In addition to the radio ads, NCDHHS is releasing video messages. The videos cover a range of topics, including mental health self-care to promote resiliency, coping strategies for historically marginalized populations and guidance on the 3 Ws: wear a face covering, wait six feet from others and wash hands often to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. People are encouraged to share the messages widely using social media and share with members of their family and communities.
Videos feature Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, MD, FAAFP, Associate Professor and Family Medicine Residency Program Director for the Duke Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and member of the NCDHHS COVID-19 Response Historically Marginalized Populations workgroup (in English and Spanish); North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green; and psychiatrist Dr. Jacquetta Foushee.
For more NCDHHS videos related to COVID-19, visit the Department’s YouTube channel, and go to covid19.ncdhhs.gov and nc.gov/covid19 for the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 response in North Carolina.
NCDHHS expands measures to prevent COVID-19 in long-term care facilities
Community, Health May 18, 2020
RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is taking further action to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities. All long-term care facilities in the state will receive personal protective equipment (PPE) packs of needed supplies, and facilities will receive a limited increased rate for some Medicaid services to support infection prevention and management.
“We have a team dedicated to supporting our long-term care facilities as they protect our aging family members and loved ones who require round-the-clock care and the staff who care for them,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “We want to help them do all that they can because once an outbreak occurs in a congregate living setting, it can be difficult to prevent the spread of the virus.”
PPE packs will go to more than 3,000 state-licensed long-term care facilities and include a fourteen-day supply of face shields, procedure masks, gloves and shoe covers. Adult care homes, family care homes, nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health facilities will receive supplies. NCDHHS is partnering with North Carolina Emergency Management and the National Guard to deliver the packs at local distribution centers.
In addition to the PPE distribution, NCDHHS is providing a time-limited Medicaid rate increase for nursing facility services such as skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. The increase is intended to support strengthening infection prevention and management capacities with technical support from NCDHHS. The increase will also apply to personal care assistance and home health services to help providers who support people being able to stay at home where there is less risk to exposure.
NCDHHS also released updated testing guidance to clinicians that recommends testing people who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings such as long-term care facilities.
These actions build on earlier measures North Carolina has taken to protect residents and staff in long-term facilities. Previous actions include:
- Issuing Executive Order 130, which codified public health and safety requirements for nursing homes, including requiring staff to wear surgical masks, screenings for all staff and residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 daily and closing communal areas.
- Conducting remote infection prevention and control consultation with skilled nursing and other long-term facilities across the state through a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North Carolina Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology.
- Providing targeted funding to support nursing homes and adult care homes to provide the more intensive care needed for residents with COVID-19 and limit the spread of the virus to other residents and staff.
- Providing a toolkit to support long-term care facilities in preparing for and responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in their facility. The toolkit contains an infection control assessment, infection staffing worksheet, infection prevention educational resources and other tools.
- Helping to fill staffing shortages in long-term care facilities and other health care facilities through a partnership with East Carolina University School of Nursing to match Registered Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants with facilities, particularly long-term care facilities, that are seeking to urgently hire staff for temporary, part-time or full-time roles. Interested health care employees can register at nc.readyop.com/fs/4cjq/697b.
- Implementing several temporary regulatory changes to assist providers in caring for their residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, including adopting an emergency rule granting reciprocity to nurse aides certified in other states to work as nurse aides in North Carolina, and allowing facilities to exceed the number of licensed beds if needed to provide temporary shelter and services to adequately care for residents with COVID-19.
- Providing virtual trainings for more than 2,000 staff working in long-term care sites. Trainings are available online at www.ncahec.net/covid-19/webinars.
For NCDHHS and CDC guidance for long-term care facilities visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/guidance#long-term-care-facilities. A list of congregate care settings with outbreaks is available on the NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard.
NCDHHS reports 9,115 COVID-19 patients are presumed recovered
Health, Press Release May 18, 2020
RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) estimates that as of May 11, 9,115 North Carolinians with COVID-19 are likely to have recovered from their symptoms. This data along with information about how it is calculated is posted on the COVID-19 Dashboard and will be updated weekly.
To calculate this number, NCDHHS estimates the median time for recovery from symptoms to be 14 days from the date of specimen collection for non-fatal COVID-19 cases who were not hospitalized or if hospitalization status is unknown, or 28 days for hospitalized non-fatal COVID-19 cases.
Patients’ actual recovery times could be shorter or longer depending on the severity of illness. This interval was chosen based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidance, and in consultation with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state health departments. This estimates how many people have recovered from their symptoms. It does not estimate who many cases are or are not still infectious.
To learn more and find the current weekly reportOpen PDF on COVID-19 patients presumed to be recovered, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard. Go to covid19.ncdhhs.gov to stay informed on the latest COVID-19 updates.
Staying home is still the best way to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect North Carolinians. When going out, remember the 3 Ws. Wear a face covering. Wait at least six feet apart. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
For information on the North Carolina COVID-19 response across state government, visit nc.gov/covid19.
Phase One of reopening North Carolina begins on May 8
Business May 7, 2020
RALEIGH, N.C. – Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8, residents of N.C. will have certain restrictions lifted as the state moves toward reopening.
In Phase One, the distinction between essential and non-essential businesses is removed and individuals can leave their homes for any commercial activity that is open. Small outdoor gatherings are allowed, but gatherings more than 10 are still prohibited. Religious services and First Amendment activities are also allowed but must follow social distancing protocols. However, the 10-person limit doesn’t apply to these gatherings, but they should gather outside unless impossible.
“COVID-19 is still a serious threat to our state, and Phase 1 is designed to be a limited easing of restrictions that can boost parts of our economy while keeping important safety rules in place,” said Governor Cooper. “This is a careful and deliberate first step, guided by the data, and North Carolinians still must use caution while this virus is circulating.”
Those who do decide to go out they are encouraged to wear a face mask, carry hand sanitizer, wash their hands whenever possible, and regularly clean high-touch surfaces.
“When leaving home and wear it inside all public settings such as grocery stores, pharmacies, or other retail or public-serving businesses. A Face Covering should also be worn outdoors when you cannot maintain at least six (6) feet distancing from other people with the exception of family or household members. These coverings function to protect other people more than the wearer,” states the Executive Order.
Retail stores can operate at 50 percent capacity. Additionally, customers must stand six feet apart and retailers should provide hand sanitizer, screen employees, and frequently clean. NCDHHS is posting the screening questionnaire online.
Phase One summary from Gov. Cooper’s office.
Businesses that remain closed are bars, personal care businesses, entertainment venues, and gyms.
Restaurants may only continue to serve customers for drive-through, takeout and delivery.
All employees are encouraged to wear face masks or coverings and Cooper still recommends teleworking whenever possible.
Long-term care facilities are still closed to visitors.
Parks are encouraged to open if they can accommodate social distancing, but playgrounds should remain closed.
Childcare facilities will be open to serve families who need the assistance. The organizations are required to follow strict cleaning protocols. Summer day camps can operate in compliance with NC DHHS guidelines.
In explaining the decision to move to Phase One, Cooper and Secretary Cohen reported North Carolina remains stable on the following key metrics:
- Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days – North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is decreasing.
- Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days – North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases over the last 14 days cases is slightly increasing.
- Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days – North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive over the last 14 days is decreasing.
- Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days – North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations over the last 14 days is level.
In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:
- Laboratory Testing – North Carolina has doubled the daily testing rate.
- Tracing Capability – The Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative has received over 4,000 applications and is in the process of hiring 250 new contact tracers.
- Personal Protective Equipment – Supply chains continue to improve with the exception of gowns.
The order is in effect until 5 p,m, on Friday, May 22. However, the end of this Order does not necessarily mean the state will move to Phase Two. Phase Two only start if data and indicators are in the right place.
15,816 confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina as of May 13
Health May 13, 2020
In an effort to keep our readers, up to date with the latest number of cases confirmed in N.C., Fetch Your News will continually be updating this article with the most recent updates from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
As of May 13, 2020, NCDHHS reported 15,816 cases statewide, 597 deaths, and 521 hospitalized. The highest concentration is now in Mecklenburg with 2,204 cases and 61 deaths. NCDHHS reported 210,457 tests have been completed in the state. The confirmed cases report is released each day at 11 a.m.
Up-to-date map of N.C.
NC Counties with Confirmed Cases
| County | Laboratory-Confirmed Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alamance County | 181 | 8 |
| Alexander County | 14 | 0 |
| Alleghany County | 9 | 0 |
| Anson County | 34 | 0 |
| Ashe County | 16 | 0 |
| Beaufort County | 25 | 0 |
| Bertie County | 72 | 3 |
| Bladen County | 63 | 1 |
| Brunswick County | 50 | 2 |
| Buncombe County | 105 | 4 |
| Burke County | 148 | 13 |
| Cabarrus County | 361 | 18 |
| Caldwell County | 67 | 1 |
| Camden County | 2 | 0 |
| Carteret County | 34 | 3 |
| Caswell County | 40 | 1 |
| Catawba County | 85 | 2 |
| Chatham County | 468 | 11 |
| Cherokee County | 18 | 1 |
| Chowan County | 12 | 0 |
| Clay County | 5 | 0 |
| Cleveland County | 51 | 2 |
| Columbus County | 216 | 17 |
| Craven County | 55 | 4 |
| Cumberland County | 398 | 10 |
| Currituck County | 9 | 0 |
| Dare County | 17 | 1 |
| Davidson County | 232 | 10 |
| Davie County | 37 | 2 |
| Duplin County | 274 | 4 |
| Durham County | 903 | 35 |
| Edgecombe County | 157 | 7 |
| Forsyth County | 449 | 5 |
| Franklin County | 119 | 20 |
| Gaston County | 181 | 5 |
| Gates County | 11 | 0 |
| Graham County | 2 | 0 |
| Granville County | 171 | 6 |
| Greene County | 37 | 1 |
| Guilford County | 670 | 44 |
| Halifax County | 96 | 1 |
| Harnett County | 228 | 15 |
| Haywood County | 19 | 0 |
| Henderson County | 250 | 30 |
| Hertford County | 49 | 1 |
| Hoke County | 128 | 0 |
| Hyde County | 1 | 0 |
| Iredell County | 162 | 5 |
| Jackson County | 22 | 1 |
| Johnston County | 220 | 17 |
| Jones County | 20 | 2 |
| Lee County | 285 | 2 |
| Lenoir County | 125 | 5 |
| Lincoln County | 42 | 0 |
| Macon County | 3 | 1 |
| Madison County | 1 | 0 |
| Martin County | 33 | 3 |
| McDowell County | 29 | 1 |
| Mecklenburg County | 2,204 | 61 |
| Mitchell County | 5 | 0 |
| Montgomery County | 43 | 2 |
| Moore County | 112 | 10 |
| Nash County | 133 | 3 |
| New Hanover County | 112 | 3 |
| Northampton County | 122 | 9 |
| Onslow County | 59 | 2 |
| Orange County | 258 | 34 |
| Pamlico County | 8 | 0 |
| Pasquotank County | 81 | 5 |
| Pender County | 40 | 1 |
| Perquimans County | 19 | 2 |
| Person County | 31 | 1 |
| Pitt County | 182 | 2 |
| Polk County | 29 | 3 |
| Randolph County | 369 | 6 |
| Richmond County | 98 | 2 |
| Robeson County | 440 | 4 |
| Rockingham County | 43 | 2 |
| Rowan County | 497 | 25 |
| Rutherford County | 154 | 5 |
| Sampson County | 176 | 1 |
| Scotland County | 43 | 0 |
| Stanly County | 30 | 4 |
| Stokes County | 18 | 0 |
| Surry County | 47 | 1 |
| Swain County | 5 | 0 |
| Transylvania County | 7 | 0 |
| Tyrrell County | 4 | 0 |
| Union County | 304 | 16 |
| Vance County | 173 | 16 |
| Wake County | 1,080 | 25 |
| Warren County | 23 | 0 |
| Washington County | 25 | 3 |
| Watauga County | 9 | 0 |
| Wayne County | 760 | 13 |
| Wilkes County | 262 | 1 |
| Wilson County | 216 | 9 |
| Yadkin County | 75 | 1 |
| Yancey County | 8 | 0 |
All data are preliminary and may change as cases are investigated.
*County case numbers may change once residence is verified. Therefore, the total number on the county map may differ from the number of NC Cases.
13,397 confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina as of May 7
Health May 7, 2020
In an effort to keep our readers, up to date with the latest number of cases confirmed in N.C., Fetch Your News will continually be updating this article with the most recent updates from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
As of May 7, 2020, NCDHHS reported 13,397 cases statewide, 507 deaths, and 525 hospitalized. The highest concentration is now in Mecklenburg with 1,922 cases and 58 deaths. NCDHHS reported that 171,328 tests have been completed in the state. The confirmed cases report is released each day at 11 a.m.
According to NCDHHS data, N.C. does seem to be seeing a dip in positive cases with total positives from this week falling between six and eight percent. However, specimens collected during this timeframe may also be yet to be reported.
Up-to-date map of N.C.
| County | Laboratory-Confirmed Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alamance County | 143 | 3 |
| Alexander County | 8 | 0 |
| Alleghany County | 7 | 0 |
| Anson County | 33 | 0 |
| Ashe County | 6 | 0 |
| Beaufort County | 22 | 0 |
| Bertie County | 57 | 2 |
| Bladen County | 45 | 1 |
| Brunswick County | 49 | 2 |
| Buncombe County | 88 | 4 |
| Burke County | 126 | 11 |
| Cabarrus County | 333 | 17 |
| Caldwell County | 50 | 0 |
| Camden County | 2 | 0 |
| Carteret County | 29 | 3 |
| Caswell County | 38 | 0 |
| Catawba County | 65 | 1 |
| Chatham County | 421 | 11 |
| Cherokee County | 18 | 1 |
| Chowan County | 7 | 0 |
| Clay County | 5 | 0 |
| Cleveland County | 50 | 2 |
| Columbus County | 184 | 11 |
| Craven County | 46 | 4 |
| Cumberland County | 336 | 9 |
| Currituck County | 7 | 0 |
| Dare County | 14 | 1 |
| Davidson County | 191 | 9 |
| Davie County | 31 | 2 |
| Duplin County | 161 | 3 |
| Durham County | 807 | 29 |
| Edgecombe County | 137 | 7 |
| Forsyth County | 332 | 5 |
| Franklin County | 111 | 20 |
| Gaston County | 157 | 4 |
| Gates County | 10 | 0 |
| Graham County | 2 | 0 |
| Granville County | 164 | 5 |
| Greene County | 33 | 0 |
| Guilford County | 536 | 35 |
| Halifax County | 77 | 1 |
| Harnett County | 199 | 12 |
| Haywood County | 16 | 0 |
| Henderson County | 216 | 23 |
| Hertford County | 45 | 1 |
| Hoke County | 113 | 0 |
| Hyde County | 1 | 0 |
| Iredell County | 137 | 5 |
| Jackson County | 20 | 1 |
| Johnston County | 189 | 16 |
| Jones County | 19 | 2 |
| Lee County | 229 | 1 |
| Lenoir County | 97 | 4 |
| Lincoln County | 37 | 0 |
| Macon County | 3 | 1 |
| Madison County | 1 | 0 |
| Martin County | 27 | 1 |
| McDowell County | 28 | 1 |
| Mecklenburg County | 1,922 | 58 |
| Mitchell County | 5 | 0 |
| Montgomery County | 43 | 2 |
| Moore County | 109 | 7 |
| Nash County | 107 | 3 |
| New Hanover County | 91 | 3 |
| Northampton County | 102 | 5 |
| Onslow County | 53 | 2 |
| Orange County | 239 | 30 |
| Pamlico County | 8 | 0 |
| Pasquotank County | 39 | 2 |
| Pender County | 20 | 1 |
| Perquimans County | 14 | 2 |
| Person County | 27 | 1 |
| Pitt County | 152 | 2 |
| Polk County | 30 | 0 |
| Randolph County | 290 | 5 |
| Richmond County | 80 | 2 |
| Robeson County | 313 | 4 |
| Rockingham County | 36 | 2 |
| Rowan County | 452 | 24 |
| Rutherford County | 148 | 5 |
| Sampson County | 126 | 1 |
| Scotland County | 34 | 0 |
| Stanly County | 29 | 4 |
| Stokes County | 10 | 0 |
| Surry County | 26 | 1 |
| Swain County | 5 | 0 |
| Transylvania County | 7 | 0 |
| Tyrrell County | 4 | 0 |
| Union County | 283 | 14 |
| Vance County | 147 | 10 |
| Wake County | 961 | 21 |
| Warren County | 19 | 0 |
| Washington County | 25 | 3 |
| Watauga County | 9 | 0 |
| Wayne County | 699 | 12 |
| Wilkes County | 186 | 1 |
| Wilson County | 192 | 8 |
| Yadkin County | 33 | 1 |
| Yancey County | 7 | 0 |
All data are preliminary and may change as cases are investigated.
DPH Release – Expanded Testing For COVID-19 In Georgia
Featured, Health April 15, 2020
Revised Testing Criteria and Increased Number of Test Sites
Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is increasing the number of specimen
collection sites statewide for COVID-19 testing, and is revising the current testing criteria to
accommodate more testing of Georgia residents.
Effective immediately, all symptomatic individuals will be eligible for COVID-19 testing. Health
care workers, first responders, law enforcement and long-term care facility residents and staff will
still be prioritized for testing regardless of whether they are or are not symptomatic.
Referrals are still required, however, there are now two ways to be referred to a DPH specimen
collection site:
Local Health Department –
Individuals who meet COVID-19 testing criteria may now be referred to DPH specimen collection
sites by contacting their local health department. They will be screened by appropriate health
department staff and referred to the closest, most convenient specimen collection site.
Contact information for local health departments can be found on the DPH homepage, under COVID-19 in Georgia.
Health Care Provider Referral –
Health care providers and/or physicians can and should continue to refer patients for COVID-19
testing.
People should not arrive unannounced or without a scheduled appointment at a specimen
collection site, hospital, emergency room or other health care facility. Only individuals who have
been evaluated by public health or a health care provider and assigned a PUI # number will
be referred to these drive-thru sites.
Together we can stop further spread of COVID-19 in our state and save lives.
Stay home – the Governor has issued a shelter-in-place Executive Order that should be observed
by all residents and visitors.
Practice social distancing – keep at least 6 feet between yourself and other people.
Wash your hands – use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) if soap and water aren’t readily available.
Wear a mask – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of face
masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where socials distancing is difficult to
maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.), and especially in areas of significant community-
based transmission.
For more information about COVID-19 Click here or
Click Here.
For updates on the COVID-19 situation as it develops, follow @GaDPH, @GeorgiaEMA, and
@GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH, @GEMA.OHS, and @GovKemp on Facebook.
New Data Supports Social Distancing Now More Than Ever
Featured, Health, News April 3, 2020
News Release from the Department of Public Health – April 2, 2020
Atlanta – As Governor Brian Kemp and DPH Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D.,
M.P.H., finalize the details of the Executive Order requiring Georgians to shelter in place, it is
important to emphasize why these measures are needed now to keep all Georgians healthy and
safe and to stop the spread of COVID-19.
For weeks it has been known that people who were positive for COVID-19 but did not have
symptoms likely were able to transmit the virus. However, on March 30, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield, M.D., confirmed that new data indicates
that as many as 25% of individuals infected with COVID-19 remain asymptomatic. Additionally,
science also now informs us that individuals who are symptomatic, are infectious up to 48
hours before symptoms appear. This new information tells the health care community,
medical researchers, public health and governments why COVID-19 is spreading so rapidly.
“Until now, containing the spread of COVID-19 has been based on early detection and isolation
of people with symptoms of the virus,” said Toomey. “Social distancing and keeping people
apart from each other are now more than just recommendations; they are the best weapons we
have to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
In addition to social distancing, all Georgians are reminded to wash their hands frequently and
thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) when
soap and water aren’t available. Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth, and eyes with
unwashed hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and throw the used tissue in
the trash.
To read more about the presymptomatic transmission of COVID-19:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-guidance-management-patients.html
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6914e1.htm?s_cid=mm6914e1_w
For more information about COVID-19 https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
For updates on the COVID-19 situation as it develops, follow @GaDPH, @GeorgiaEMA, and
@GovKemp on Twitter and @GaDPH, @GEMA.OHS, and @GovKemp on Facebook.
