Second COVID-19 case confirmed from Currituck; patient has been out of the area

Illustration created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Albemarle Regional Health Services on Thursday announced a second lab confirmed case of COVID-19 from Currituck County. The individual is currently isolated in another state and has not been in Currituck since January.

ARHS is following North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) guidelines on contact tracing of all individuals who may have had close contact with the case. Close contacts are defined as having direct contact with, or been within six feet for at least 10 minutes, of a case-patient while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment. Caregivers and household members of the case-patient are considered close contacts.

ARHS will continue to closely monitor other cases in Currituck County but will no longer publish additional press releases for each individual case due to community transmission of COVID-19 throughout our communities.

NCDHHS has implemented a COVID-19 Case Count for the state on their website. Information about the number of positive cases and tests performed throughout the state are updated daily. A state map can also be viewed which highlights cases within each county. This information can be found at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc

Public health interventions are and will continue to be an important tool to reduce transmission and prevent the spread of COVID-19. ARHS is continuing to ask our community citizens to be vigilant in practicing preventive and safety measures that will help prevent the spread of the virus.

These precautions include:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the
    bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Practice social distancing; avoid handshakes, hugs and other close contact.

To slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the number of people infected, communities should be following the guidance set by local, state, and federal officials to reduce frequency of contact and increase physical distance between persons, thereby reducing the risks of person-to-person transmission.

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About Kari Pugh 1073 Articles
Kari Pugh is digital director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, 94.5 WCMS and News Talk 92.3 WZPR. Reach her at kpugh@jammediallc.com