Dare County Reports 206 COVID-19 Cases Jan. 13-19
The Dare County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports that new cases of COVID-19 continue to grow rapidly in Dare County, with an increase of 206 cases reported the week of Jan. 13-19.
Of these 206 new cases:
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166 (81%) are symptomatic
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174 (84%) acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual or individuals who were positive for COVID-19.
The DHHS is also continuing to see a very high percent positivity rate. For the past week alone the percent of positive tests to total tests for COVID-19 was 16.1 %. The total COVID-19 positive case count in Dare County is 2,300, of which there are 201 active cases among residents of Dare County. Of the 2,300 cases, 1543 are residents and 757 are non-residents. Currently, 12 residents are hospitalized due to complications from COVID-19.
Controlling the Spread
The vast majority of new cases of COVID-19 in Dare County continue to be linked to direct contact between close friends, co-workers and families. The DHHS is seeing a recent increase in viral spread in the workplace from prolonged exposure between co-workers. Workplaces should consider following mitigation measures that were used early on in the pandemic including encouraging remote work where possible, ensuring socially distant work stations, and limiting face to face meetings. The increase is workplace spread is not linked to brief interactions between employees but rather meetings, lunch gatherings and shared working spaces. As spread is increasing in work places this is also driving more spread among families as workers are unknowingly bringing the virus home to their families before they realize they were infected. We strongly encourage all workplaces to take whatever measures possible to limit prolonged direct contact.
The DHHS continues to encourage everyone to follow the 3Ws to protect yourself and others and help reduce the spread of this virus. Please wear a mask, wait six feet apart from others and wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
COVID-19 Vaccine
DCDHHS is currently scheduling vaccinations for individuals who are in Phase 2 of the state’s Prioritization Phases. This includes anyone 65 and over and healthcare providers.
Information to register for the vaccine may be submitted online at www.darenc.com/Register4Vaccine or by calling the COVID-19 call center at 252-475-5008.
The DHHS has added a new vaccine data dashboard on our website so individuals can easily follow which phase we are currently vaccinating as well as see the metrics on doses delivered, appointments scheduled for upcoming clinics and the waitlist count. This information will be updated weekly on Mondays and can be found at www.darenc.com/covidvaccine
General information on the COVID-19 vaccines can be found on the state’s website www.covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines.
“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.
In addition, there is currently a statewide executive order for everyone to stay at home from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. each night, unless they are at work during those hours, which will remain in effect at least through Jan. 29. 2021.
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