Haywood County adds 15 new COVID-19 cases since July 10

Press release from Haywood County:

Haywood County Public Health received notice of 15 cases of COVID-19 since our last press release on July 10, 2010. This brings the number of cases recorded in Haywood County as of 1 p.m. July 14, 2020, to 132. The individuals reside in Haywood County and are in isolation at home.

Four were out-of-state travel related. Four were found through contact tracing testing. Five had unknown exposure and no out-of-county travel, indicating community spread. Two believe they were exposed at work. One was identified during pre-op testing; one was “at a party” out of the county where “no one was masked,” and one was exposed by a relative from out of state.

From July 1-10 Haywood County had 30 cases of COVID-19 or 3 per day. July 11-13 we saw 14 more cases. Contact tracing nurses are seeing trends of patients who are staying sicker longer with respiratory symptoms and lingering headaches.

As of 1 p.m., July 14, 2020, 35 cases are in isolation and 63 people are in quarantine because they have been identified as close contacts of known cases during contact tracing efforts.

To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released. The CDC defines close contact as being within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 infection for 15 minutes or longer and without protection. Based on the information provided by the individuals in close contact, county health officials will assess risks of exposure, determine which if any additional measures are needed such as temperature and symptom checks, quarantine, and/or testing.

“We also ask Haywood County residents to be aware that the key to safely navigating Phase 2 reopening is to remember the 4 C’s: avoid physical CONTACT, avoid indoor activities in CONFINED spaces, avoid CROWDS, and make wise and realistic CHOICES.”

“Two other reminders; if you have symptoms of headache, fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of sense of smell don’t wait, get tested,” said Johnson. “If your doctor isn’t providing testing, contact one of the local urgent cares. Call first for pre-emptive screening and to find out what the current protocols are for when you arrive. It’s also important to understand that anyone tested for COVID-19, even as a standard pre-operative precaution, needs to stay home and self-quarantine away from other family members as able until test results are received, and then follow instructions according to the test results.”

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, North Carolinians should take the same measures that health care providers recommend in order to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses, ESPECIALLY during the phased reopening. These measures include:

• Practice social distancing. This is the Number One Enemy of COVID-19. To prevent community spread we need everyone to take social distancing seriously!
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water for 20 seconds.
• Regularly sanitize frequently-touched surfaces.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover coughs and sneezes, preferably with your elbow to avoid transferring germs to your hands.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Wear a mask, especially when you will be in close contact with people.

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, NCDHHS at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, and Haywood County at https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/Coronavirus-Covid-19-Information.

Residents are encouraged to call 828-356-2019 for questions or concerns related to COVID-19.