Ten cases of COVID-19 reported in Dare County; five patients have recovered

Health officials said Tuesday there are now ten positive cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in Dare County, with three of the new cases associated with having direct contact with someone who previously tested positive.

The other new case is an individual who also likely acquired the virus through direct contact when out of the area, according to a bulletin issued Tuesday by the Dare County Control Group.

Three of the four new cases announced today are all associated with direct contact with the individual whose positive test result was announced on April 4.

Five patients have completely recovered from the coronavirus. Three are asymptomatic, meaning they have not experienced any COVID-19 symptoms, one is recovering in isolation and one remains hospitalized out of the county.

In North Carolina, there are currently 3,221 cases of COVID-19 in 90 counties. There have been 46 fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 270 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness.

Now that community spread is likely in our community, you must act as if everyone you come in contact with has COVID-19 and has the ability to spread the virus. To protect yourself, your family, and our community, it is imperative that everyone in Dare County follows the Stay Home – Stay Healthy order (which aligns with Governor Cooper’s Stay at Home Executive Order). Restrict ALL non-essential movement. Only go out when absolutely necessary (for essential needs). Avoid direct contact, other than immediate family members. Practice good hygiene. 

Recently, the CDC released an updated recommendation regarding the use of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  The CDC recommends the use of simple cloth face coverings as a voluntary public health measure in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). Please understand that the use of face coverings alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection, and other measures should also be utilized. 

Rely on credible sources for accurate, updated information. Visit the CDC website at cdc.gov/coronavirus or NCDHHS at ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus. For information specific to Dare County, visit darenc.com/covid19

Dare County
To help those impacted by COVID-19, a list of community resources and information on filing for unemployment, food support, emergency business loans, legal aid, and utility assistance is available at darenc.com/covidresources.

Given the likelihood that Dare County is experiencing community spread of COVID-19, Dare County Transportation System will transport passengers for medical trips only, effective Thursday, April 9. 

For updated information regarding Dare County services and department operations, visit www.darenc.com/covidservices

The Dare County COVID-19 Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff is available to answer your questions at 252.475.5008.

Town of Duck
To protect our citizens and staff, we ask you to call or email the office to ask how we may be able to assist you remotely. Staff are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The April 8 Planning Board meeting has been canceled.

Bulk trash collection scheduled for April 17 has been postponed. Bulk waste permits are currently not available from the office due to the temporary closure of the Kitty Hawk facility.

Town of Southern Shores
Town Facilities-Town facilities remain closed to the public and all Town Hall business is being conducted via phone, email, fax, or other virtual means.  In the event of an emergency, please call 911.  

Meetings-The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. The notice and agenda can be viewed on the Town website https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/southern-shores-town-council-meeting-april-7-2020-330-p-m/ 

-The April 20, 2020 Planning Board meeting has been cancelled.  Consideration of the new flood maps and update to Southern Shores Town Code Chapter 16, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance will be added to the next meeting agenda.  The next scheduled meeting is to be held on May 18, 2020. A Special Meeting could be called prior to that meeting in the event the current COVID-19 situation improves within that timeframe.  

Building Inspections-Building inspections are still being conducted, however, meetings in person with the Building Inspector on-site are limited.  Inspection requests should be called in to the Planning & Code Enforcement Department by calling 252-261-2394 ext. 3 or email Dabni Shelton, Permit Officer at dshelton@southernshores-nc.gov.  Permit applications can be submitted online by utilizing the link to Citizenserve on the Town website: https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/online-permit-submittals/.  Feel free to call the Planning & Code Enforcement Department at 252-261-2394 ext. 3 should you have any questions.

Town of Kitty Hawk
Town offices are open normal business hours 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  Face-to-face contact is being limited.

Before visiting any Kitty Hawk office, please check the appropriate website or call to discuss the best way to conduct business. For contact information, please visit  https://www.kittyhawknc.gov/coronavirus-disease/.   

The April 6, 2020 Town Council Meeting Can Be Viewed Here: April 6, 2020 Town Council Meeting 

Please send comments or questions to info@kittyhawktown.net at any time. Please note in your email that you would like your statement to be read at the meeting and be sure to include your full name and address.

Other Town Information:

  • The Town has begun mobile Ocean Rescue Patrol,  daily between the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. 

  • The Town’s Recycle Center will be closed until further notice.

  •  The playgrounds at Paul Pruitt Park and Sandy Run Park are closed.  The parks will remain open for passive recreational activities. When visiting any of the Town’s parks please practice social distancing.

  • The Spring Chipping Service will not be held in April and has been postponed until the Fall.

Town of Kill Devil Hills
To ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees, access to our offices remain restricted. If you have a critical need that can only be fulfilled by an in person visit, please contact the appropriate Department to schedule an appointment. Contact information for each Department is listed on our website, www.kdhnc.com.

All Town Departments have made adjustments to continue serving you in a safe, yet, proficient manner. Many services can be conducted by phone, email, fax, or by using our website.

In accordance with the Stay at Home Order, the Town of Kill Devil Hills has temporarily closed its playgrounds and public restrooms until further notice. We understand the desire to be outside is more powerful than ever, especially with this beautiful weather. At this time, our parks remain open. However, when visiting parks or engaging in other outdoor activity, it is critical that you practice social distancing. This means no gatherings of more than 10 people and physically staying at least 6 feet apart from others.

There are a lot of changes being made to our regular habits and routines, which is not easy. Although changes are hard, they are important. We know that with these adjustments, we are taking action to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. For resources on how to manage stress and anxiety during this pandemic, visit the CDC’s website, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

For modifications to Town services/daily operations, cancelled meetings and events, facility closures, and other updates, please visit our website, www.kdhnc.com

Town of Nags Head

Nags Head Board of Commissioners will conduct a meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 9:00 am. To maintain everyone’s safety, the meeting will be conducted electronically. The agenda is available on the Town’s website at nagsheadnc.gov. The Town is making every effort to ensure that the public is able to not only listen to the meeting, but also to participate in the public comment and public hearing portions of the Board meeting, while still maintaining statutory requirements and keeping the public safe. The public will be able to access and participate in the meeting via an electronic utility such as Zoom by calling a specific number and then entering the meeting’s identification number. Details will be provided via public notice as well as on the Town’s website. The Town of Nags Head appreciates your understanding as we navigate these unfamiliar waters together.

Town of Manteo

Special Note – Sanitation is on the regular schedule. A portion of the residential route on Monday was delayed due to a mechanical issue, and pick-up will continue shortly. Bulky item pick-ups are only Monday and Thursday.

Town Operations – Access to Town Hall is limited. Call 473-2133 first to handle issues over the phone or online. Ring doorbell and use intercom prior to entry. Utility service disconnections, late fees, and penalties are suspended. Water charges will still be billed. Payment plans are available. 

Police Department – Access to Police Department is limited. If emergency, dial 911. Call 473-2069 for non-emergency weekday service or 473-3444 after hours. Ring doorbell and use the intercom prior to entry during weekdays. There is a call box for after-hours use at the MPD entrance.

Public Facilities – Town parks are open. Practice social distancing. Playgrounds and restrooms are closed. Pea Island Cookhouse Museum, Maritime Museum, and Lighthouse are closed. Downtown Marina is closed to visitors.

Special Events – 05/02 Litter Pick-Up postponed to 11/14. Downtown Market postponed until further notice.

The next bulletin will be issued no later than 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8. 

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About Sam Walker 1512 Articles
Sam Walker was news director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, Big 94.5 WCMS and Z 92.3 from August 2011 to March 2022.