Haywood County Positive COVID-19 cases rise to 74

Haywood County -- Haywood County Department of Health and Human Services: PRESS RELEASE  June 23, 2020

June 23, 2020

Haywood County Public Health received notice on June 23 that two more Haywood County residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.  This brings the number of cases recorded in Haywood County as of 5 p.m. on June 23, 2020, to 74.  The individuals are currently in isolation at home.

The individuals reside in Haywood County.  Neither has recent out of state travel history. One individual was exposed to COVID-19 at work. The other has no idea where the exposure occurred. To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released. The CDC defines close contact as being within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 infection for 15 minutes or longer and without protection. Based on the information provided by the individuals in close contact, county health officials will assess risks of exposure, determine which if any additional measures are needed such as temperature and symptom checks, quarantine, and/or testing.

“The Haywood County Health Department will trace, test, and contain anyone we identify who was exposed to this virus,” said Haywood County Health Director Patrick Johnson.  “It’s vital that citizens assume the virus is circulating in the county and take appropriate precautions. You or the person near you in the grocery store or at work could be unknowingly carrying the virus and spreading it throughout the community.  Basic steps like social distancing, wearing a mask when in public, staying home if you are sick, and regular hand washing help to limit exposures and slow the spread. It’s very important to practice all of these precautions in the workplace as well.” 

“We also ask Haywood County residents to be aware of the current risks involved in traveling out of state to high-density vacation destinations. Consider ‘staycations’ for the time being. The key to safely navigating Phase 2 reopening is to remember the 4 C’s: avoid physical CONTACT, avoid indoor activities in CONFINED spaces, avoid CROWDS, and make wise and realistic CHOICES.”  

“Two other reminders; if you have symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of sense of smell don’t wait, get tested,” said Johnson.  “It’s also important to understand that anyone tested for COVID-19, even as a standard pre-operative precaution, needs to stay home and self-quarantine away from other family members as able until test results are received, and then follow instructions according to the test results.”

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, North Carolinians should take the same measures that health care providers recommend in order to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses, ESPECIALLY during the phased reopening.  These measures include: 

Practice social distancing. This is the Number One Enemy of COVID-19. To prevent community spread we need everyone to take social distancing seriously! 
Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water for 20 seconds.
Regularly sanitize frequently-touched surfaces.
Avoid touching your face.
Cover coughs and sneezes, preferably with your elbow to avoid transferring germs to your hands.
Stay home if you are sick.
Wear a mask, especially when you will be in close contact with people.

Sixty-four cases of COVID-19 in Haywood County are categorized as recovered. The other 10 remain in isolation.  Seventeen people are in quarantine because they have been identified as close contacts of known cases during contact tracing efforts.  

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, NCDHHS at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, and Haywood County at https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/Coronavirus-Covid-19-Information.  

Residents are encouraged to call 828-356-2019 for questions or concerns related to COVID-19.