Dare Updates on 72 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Oct. 31-Nov. 6

Posted By on November 6, 2020

The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Dare County continues to climb, with a total of 72 new cases reported in just the last seven days, a new record high for a single week increase.

The Dare County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports a total of 769 positive COVID-19 cases in the county, of which there are 55 active cases among residents of Dare. Of the 769 cases, 452 are residents and 317 are non-residents.  Four residents are currently hospitalized from complications associated with COVID-19.

From Saturday, October 31 through Tuesday, Nov. 3, there were 41 new positive cases. Of these 41 cases, 25 are residents and 16 are non-residents.

Of the 25 resident cases since reported Oct. 30-Nov. 3:

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 10/20

  • 3 of the cases, 2 symptomatic and 1 asymptomatic, acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 10/27

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 10/28

  • 2 of the cases, both symptomatic, are family members who acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 10/31

  • 1 individual is asymptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test was reported on 10/30

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 10/29

  • 3 cases are not connected. All are symptomatic and acquired the virus from individuals whose tested positive outside of Dare County

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/1

  • 2 of the cases are not connected. Both are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals whose positive test result were reported on 10/31

  • 10 of the cases are not connected. All are symptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.

  Of the 16 non-resident cases reported Oct. 30-Nov. 3:

  • 5 of the cases are family members. 2 are symptomatic and 3 are asymptomatic. The family had direct contact with an individual who tested positive outside of Dare County.

  • 3 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 family members. Both are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual who tested positive outside of Dare County.

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 10/30

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/1

  • 4 of the cases are not connected. All are symptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.

From Wednesday, Nov. 3 through Friday, Nov. 6, there have been 31 new positive cases. Of these 31 cases, 26 are residents and 5 are non-residents.

Of the 26 new resident cases since Tuesday, November 3rd:

  • 5 of the cases are connected. All are symptomatic. One individual acquired the virus by community spread and then spread the virus to the other 4 direct contacts.

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 10/31.

  • 1 individual is asymptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/3.

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/2.

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/1.

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with a household contact whose positive test result was reported on 10/31

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 10/30

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 10/29

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with a household contact whose positive test result was reported on 11/4

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/4

  • 4 of the cases are not connected. All are symptomatic. These individuals acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.

  • 8 of the cases are not connected. 6 are symptomatic and 1 is asymptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.

Of the 5 new non-resident cases since Tuesday, November 3rd:

  • 4 of the cases are not connected. All are symptomatic. It is unclear how this individual acquired the virus.

  • 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual who tested positive outside of Dare County.

Contract tracing has been completed on all of the new 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.

Controlling the Spread

COVID-19 remains a very contagious virus. The DHHS has seen an increase in new positive cases in Dare County over the past two weeks. Below is some additional information regarding the most recent cases this week:

  • The increase in cases is not due to an increase in testing. Last week had the lowest number of tests performed in Dare County as compared to the 3 previous weeks. 

  • 68% of the new cases are Dare County residents

  • 72% of the new cases acquired the virus by direct contact with a positive individual; 28% of new cases could not identify how they acquired the virus, which indicates community spread

  • 88% of the new cases are symptomatic

The DHHS cannot stress enough the importance of everyone doing their part to reduce the spread of this virus by using the proven tools available – the 3 Ws. Please be responsible, protect yourself and others by following the 3Ws:

  • 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

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. Testing is widely available in Dare County. Please visit www.darenc.com/covidtesting for details on testing locations .

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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Posted by Matt Artz

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