Haywood County Public Health Director Coronavirus Information

We’ve all heard the message and are probably tired of hearing the message, but it’s important to not get social distancing fatigue. Community transmission is already occurring in western NC. Therefore, we are moving to a different phase of our response efforts and will be further increasing our population-based community mitigation strategies. The goal of mitigation is to decrease spread of the virus among residents – especially for those who are at highest risk of clinical severity and our health care workers so that fewer people need medical care at the same time. 

Haywood CountyTests: Total specimens collected-75, tests returned negative-24.  To date there havebeen no positives. We should expect to have our first case in Haywood County soon. The Haywood County Health Department will enforce isolation,perform contact tracing and follow-up for each positive

 

COVID case in order to protect the health of our residents. 

NC COVID Cases: 398; Western NC: Buncombe 8,Henderson 2, Cherokee 4, Transylvania 1, Jackson 1.

Global Cases: More than 300,000. It took 67 days
to reach the first 100,000 cases.  It took 11 days to reach the next 100,000 cases and just 4 days to reach the third 100,000 cases!

 

NC Governor

 

Guidance: The new Executive Order from the Governor further expands Social Distancing
guidance and takes effect Wednesday Mar 25 at 5pm. Haywood County Governmentwill continue to exercise our responsibilities including but not limited to Public Health, Department of Social Services, Registers of Deeds, Vital Recordsand other local government functions that are required to protect and support our residents. 

 

Testing:  See Testing graphic attachment.This describes Priority one, Priority Two and Priority Three

There have been changes in testing
recommendations: NC DHHS is now recommends that only people experiencing SEVEREsymptoms consistent with COVID-19 be tested. (See Priority

 

Testing

 

Attachment) Severe symptoms include fever and cough with shortness of breath.  People with mild symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (mild symptoms are defined as fever and cough without any of the other symptoms listed above) do NOT need testing and should be instructed to stayat home to recover.  

We wish it wasn’t this way, but it is. Your understanding is much appreciated by everyone
having to make difficult choices.  Currently it takes 4-5 days to get test results.  

Mental Health: See updated website heading "Mental health resources" on this haywoodcountync.gov website under "Coronavirus Info" tab.

 

I’m repeating this topic because it bears repeating. We’re concerned about substance use, mental health, and suicide during this crisis. If you are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). 

 

Food and Nutrition: See website heading "updated food resources" on this haywoodcountync.gov website under "Coronavirus Info" tab.

 

Call Center: Is being established and will beup and running, beginning Wednesday 3/25, if you have questions about COVID-19
and would like to speak to a Public Health nurse. This number will be released to the public soon.

 

North Carolina’s andHaywood County’s response to COVID-19 will continue to rapidly evolve.

The most up to date information and guidance can be found at  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html [cdc.gov] and https://www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus [ncdhhs.gov] or https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/Coronavirus-Covid-19-Information