Outer Banks coronavirus testing center opens; cases ticking up again

Dare County has opened a new Outer Banks Testing Center for those who are asymptomatic and have no known exposure to the virus.

 The center, at 4917 S Croatan Highway, Suite E, in Nags Head, is available for anyone not showing any symptoms that needs a COVID-19 diagnostic test, including for a pre-operative procedure or for travel related purposes. Appointments are required and can be made by calling Outer Banks Testing Center located at 252-449-6175.

COVID-19 diagnostic testing is also widely available around Dare County for anyone wanting or needing a test. Testing is available at Beach Medical, Surf Pediatrics and Medicine, Outer Banks Urgent Care Kitty Hawk and Outer Banks Urgent Care & Family Medicine in Nags Head. Contact information for these locations at www.darenc.com/covid19. Be sure to call ahead as most of these locations are conducting a brief over the phone screening prior to a patient’s arrival.

After four straight weeks of declines in positive COVID-19 tests, Dare County health officials say they are seeing an uptick once again.

The number of positive COVID-19 tests in Dare County on Friday was 415, 15 of which are considered active in Dare County. Of the total cases, 224 are residents and 191 are non-residents. One resident remains hospitalized outside of Dare County.

Since Tuesday, the county has seen 13 new positive cases — eight residents and five non-residents.

Of the eight new resident cases:

  • 3 of the cases are connected,  2 asymptomatic and 1 symptomatic, These individuals acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual who tested positive outside of Dare County.

  • 1 of the cases is symptomatic who acquired the virus by direct contact with a  family member who tested positive outside of Dare County.

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

Of the five new non-resident cases:

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

  • 1 of the cases is symptomatic. It is unclear how this individual acquired the virus, which indicates community spread. 

Contract tracing has been completed on the 11 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.

“Earlier this week we reported seeing a decline in new positive cases for the fourth week in a row,” health officials said in a news release. “Over the past few days, however, we have seen an uptick in new cases. We cannot stress enough how important it is to use the proven tools available to help reduce the spread of COVID 19.”

The county continues asking folks to follow 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

 

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