Dare Updates on 96 New COVID-19 Cases Reported Nov. 7-13

Posted By Matt Artz on November 13, 2020

The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Dare County continues to climb, as this past week saw 96 new cases, the highest number of positive test results reported since testing began in March. The total number of positive COVID-19 tests in Dare County is 865, of which there are 84 active cases among residents.

Of the 865 cases, 532 are residents and 333 are non-residents.  Five residents remain hospitalized from complications associated with COVID-19.

From Saturday, Nov. 7 through Tuesday, Nov. 10, there were 41 new positive cases, 21 of which were reported today. Of the 41 new cases since November 6th, 33 are residents and 8 are non-residents. The Dare County website has already been updated to reflect all of these cases.

Of the 33 resident cases reported November 7-10:

• 3 of the cases are connected. 2 are symptomatic and 1 is asymptomatic and all acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/9

• 9 of the cases are not connected. 7 are symptomatic and 2 are asymptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.

• 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.

• 2 of the cases are connected. Both are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/8

• 4 of the cases are connected. All are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test was reported on 11/6

• 13 cases are not connected. 12 are symptomatic and 1 is asymptomatic. All acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals whose positive test results were reported on 11/1, 11/3, 11/4, 11/5, 11/7,  11/8, and 11/9.

  Of the 8 non-resident cases reported Nov. 7-10:

• 4 of the cases are not connected. 3 are symptomatic and 1 asymptomatic. All acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.

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

From Wednesday, Nov. 11 through Friday, Nov. 13, there were 55 new positive cases. Of these 55 cases, 47 are residents and 8 are non-residents. The Dare County website has already been updated to reflect all of these cases.

Of the 47 new resident cases reported November 11-13:

• 4 of the cases are connected. All are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/9

• 3 of the cases are connected. Both are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual 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 11/10.

• 3 of the cases are not connected. Two are symptomatic and 1 is asymptomatic. These individuals acquired the virus by direct contact with different individuals whose positive test result was reported on 11/10.

• 5 of the cases are connected. All are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/8

• 1 individual is asymptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/9.

• 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/8

• 1 individual is symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/5.

• 1 individual is asymptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/7.

• 4 of the cases are not connected. Both are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals whose positive test result was reported on 11/11.

• 14 of the cases are not connected. 12 are symptomatic and 2 are asymptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.

• 9 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.

Of the 8 new non-resident cases reported November 11-13:

• 2 of the cases are connected. Both are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/9.

• 3 of the cases are not connected. 2 are symptomatic and 1 is asymptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.

• 3 of the cases are not connected. 2 are symptomatic and 1 is asymptomatic. All acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual who tested positive outside of Dare County.

Contact tracing has been completed on 46 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. We are working with the other 9 individuals to identify and notify their direct contacts.

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 2 weeks. Just this week we are already at 78 new cases of COVID 19. 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, Dare County has its highest percent of positive tests to total test percentage since the pandemic started at 8.8%,

• 86% of the 55 new cases are Dare County residents

• 75% of recent cases acquired the virus by direct contact with a positive individual

• 88% of recent 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. 

______________________________