Dare Reports 90 New COVID-19 Cases Nov. 21-27
The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Dare County continues to climb, as this past week saw 90 new cases reported. The number of positive COVID-19 tests in Dare County is 1035, of which there are active cases among residents of Dare County. Of the 1035 cases, 655 are residents and 380 are non-residents. Eight residents remain hospitalized from complications associated with COVID-19.
From Saturday, Nov. 21 through Tuesday, Nov. 24, there were 27 new positive cases, of which 20 are residents and 7 are non-residents.
Of the 20 resident cases reported Nov. 21-24:
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3 of the cases are family members. All are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/11
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9 of the cases are not connected. All are symptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.
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4 cases are not connected. All are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals whose positive test results were reported on 11/6, 11/17 and 11/19
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4 of the cases are not connected. 2 are symptomatic and 2 are asymptomatic. All acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.
Of the 7 non-resident cases reported Nov. 21-24:
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6 of the cases are not connected. 4 are symptomatic and 2 are asymptomatic. All acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.
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1 individual is symptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.
From Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Friday, Nov. 27, there were 63 new positive cases, of which 40 are residents and 23 are non-residents. The Dare County website has already been updated to reflect all of these cases.
Of the 40 new resident cases reported:
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5 of the cases are connected. All symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual whose positive test result was reported on 11/22
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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.
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7 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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18 of the cases are not connected. 15 are symptomatic and 3 are asymptomatic. All acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals whose positive test results have been reported between 11/10 and 11/23.
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8 of the cases are not connected. All are symptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.
Of the 23 new non-resident cases reported:
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2 of the cases are connected. Both are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.
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4 of the cases are connected. All are symptomatic and acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.
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2 of the cases are connected. 1 is symptomatic and 1 is asymptomatic. Both acquired the virus by direct contact with a family member who tested positive outside of Dare County.
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4 of the cases are not connected. 1 is symptomatic and 3 are asymptomatic. All acquired the virus by direct contact with individuals who tested positive outside of Dare County.
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9 of the cases are not connected. All are symptomatic. It is unclear how these individuals acquired the virus.
Contact tracing has been completed on 56 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. The DHHS working with the other 7 individuals to identify and notify their direct contacts.
Controlling the Spread
COVID-19 remains a very contagious virus. The DHHS seen an increase in new positive cases in Dare County over the past 3 weeks. Of the 1035 total cases in Dare County since March, 332 (or 32%) have occurred just in the month of November. In addition to the increase in overall number of cases, a concerning increase is in the number of individuals who are experiencing a resurgence of symptoms after initially only experiencing mild symptoms. Just this past week, 11 individuals had to seek medical attention at the emergency department because of symptoms related to COVID-19.
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:
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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
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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