Dare County Reports 6 COVID-19 Cases on Sept. 1st; Updates on 14 Most Recent
The Dare County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has received six new positive COVID-19 test results today, bringing the total number now to 459 cases, as of Tuesday (9/1/20) afternoon.
These most recent cases include one male resident of Dare in the 25-49 age group and one female resident in the 65 or over age group, both of which are recovering in home isolation, as well as two male non-residents in the 25-49 age group, one female non-resident in the 25-49 age group, and one male non-resident in the 50-64 age group, all of which have been transferred to isolation in their home counties.
The total COVID-19 positive case count in Dare County is 459 of which there are 16 active cases among residents of Dare County. Of the 459 cases, 245 are residents and 214 are non-residents.
Since the last Dare County DHHS Update issued Friday, August 28, there have been 14 new positive cases. Of these 14 cases, 5 are residents and 9 are non-residents. The Dare County website has already been updated to reflect all of these cases.
Of the 5 resident cases since Friday, August 28th:
- 3 of the cases are not connected. All are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County
- 2 of the cases are not connected. Both are symptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus which indicates community spread.
Of the 9 non-resident cases since Friday, August 28th:
- 2 of the cases, both symptomatic, are family members who acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual who tested positive outside of Dare C0unty.
- 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with a family member who tested positive outside of Dare County.
- 5 of the cases are not connected. All are symptomatic and all acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.
- 1 individual is asymptomatic. It is unclear how this individual acquired the virus.
Contact tracing has been completed on 11 of the 14 of the cases and direct contacts provided by these individuals have been identified, notified, and directed to quarantine for 14 days from the last date of exposure with the positive case. The 14 day quarantine requirement is very important to slowing the spread of the virus as the incubation period for this virus is 2 – 14 days. The DHHS working with the other 3 individuals to identify direct contacts.
This past week, the DHHS saw an increase in the number of new positive cases as well as an increase in the percent of positive tests to total tests. The DHHS continues to see the majority of new cases linked to direct contact with individuals who have the virus. Close contact continues to be the predominant way we are seeing the virus spread. This reaffirms how important it is for each of us to do our part and remain vigilant by following the 3Ws to help reduce the spread COVID-19.
- Wear a cloth face covering if you will be with other people.
- Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer
“Non-resident” cases are those who do not have a Dare County address listed on their identification card, including visitors, non-resident property owners, individuals living and working in Dare County for the summer, and those who may have recently moved to the area and have not yet been able to update their identification card.
Cloth face masks or coverings are mandatory to be worn in any public spaces where social distancing can’t be maintained in Dare County and throughout North Carolina. Read more here.
Local and state health officials continue to strongly encourage everyone to follow the 3 Ws – wear a cloth face covering if you will be with other people, wait at least six feet apart and avoid close contact with other people, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
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