Dare County Reports a 3rd COVID-19 Death
As North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced plans to move forward with reopening measures, the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports the county’s third death from COVID-19 today (9/22/20).
The total COVID-19 positive case count in Dare County is 520, of which there are 8 active cases among residents of Dare County. Of the 520 cases, 278 are residents and 242 are non-residents. Currently, one non-resident remains hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications.
The DHHS received notification today of the third resident death from COVID-19. This individual was hospitalized out of the area and died from complications associated with the COVID-19 infection.
Since the last Dare County DHHS Update issued Friday, September 18, 2020, there have been 10 new positive cases. Of these 10 cases, 7 are residents and 3 are non-residents. The Dare County website has already been updated to reflect all of these cases.
Of the 7 resident cases since Friday, September 18th:
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2 of the cases are family members, one is symptomatic and one is asymptomatic. They acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.
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2 of the cases are family members. One is symptomatic and one is asymptomatic. They acquired the virus while traveling outside of Dare County.
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1 individual is symptomatic. It is unclear how this individual acquired the virus.
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1 individual was symptomatic and died at a hospital outside of Dare County. It is unclear how this individual acquired the virus.
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1 case was reported to us this morning from the state reporting system. This was a late report from when the individual tested positive outside Dare County. The individual has since fully recovered.
Of the 3 non-resident cases since Friday, September 18th:
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2 of the cases are not connected. Both are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.
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1 individual is asymptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual who tested positive outside of Dare County.
Contact tracing has been completed on all 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.
Over the past seven weeks the DHHS has seen lower numbers of new COVID-19 cases as compared to the number of cases in July and early August. While this is encouraging, it does not mean the COVID-19 virus is not in our community. The DHHS is seeing more activities starting back up including some youth and adult sports and fall events. Participating in recreational activities is good for both mental and physical health though anytime you interact with others outside your family unit it increases your risk of exposure. This does not mean you should not participate in those activities but it does mean you need to be extra cautious and aware and follow the guidance to help protect you, your family and others from the spread of COVID-19. Please be responsible and follow the 3Ws to help reduce the spread COVID-19.
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Wear a cloth face covering if you will be with other people.
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Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
Key Metrics
Each week the DHHS reviews the 4 key metrics associated with disease investigation and surveillance. The metrics are:
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Number of Tests
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Confirmed Cases
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Positive Tests as a Percent of Total Tests
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COVID Like Illness Surveillance
This past week there were 523 COVID-19 diagnostic tests performed in Dare County by local healthcare providers. This brings the total number of tests performed since early March to 12,379. There were 18 positive cases between September 14 and September 20. The percent of positive tests to overall tests in Dare County since we started testing in early March remained stable this week at 4.14%. The percent positive to total tests for the past week alone decreased to 3.44%. Syndromic surveillance of the emergency department showed relatively low numbers of individuals presenting with COVID-19 related symptoms. The local urgent care centers saw a slight decrease in the number of patients presenting with COVID-19 related symptoms over this past week. These graphs can be found on the dare county website at www.darenc.com/covid19
Testing
The DHHS strongly encourages anyone who is experiencing symptoms to be tested as well as anyone who may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19. If you have questions about testing or locations please visit www.darenc.com/covidtesting or call the COVID-19 call center, open Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5 pm at 252-475-5008
“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.
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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