122 Active Cases of COVID-19 in Macon County NC

Franklin, NC -- Town of Franklin, NC COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Public Notices, Information & Resources

June 07, 2020 Update - 122 Active Cases of COVID-19 in Macon County, 17 Recovered, 1 Death | Total 140 Cases
May 29, 2020 - 42 Macon County Residents Test Positive for COVID-19 in Past 48 Hours

Macon County Public Health has identified 42 positive cases of COVID-19 in the last 48 hours. This brings Macon County to a total positive count of 63: 59 active, 3 recovered, and 1 death. All individuals who test positive are required to isolate for 14 days. Of the 42 positive cases, MCPH has identified a 6-person cluster at Old Edwards Inn in Highlands. The Old Edwards Inn cases were identified from contract tracing efforts from previous cases. Old Edwards Inn is working with MCPH to ensure health and safety for both staff and guests.

MCPH Communicable Disease staff is following up with active cases on a daily basis to monitor symptoms. All 42 positive case were identified through MCPH’s contact tracing efforts related to recent positive cases in our community. The recent identification of clusters of COVID-19 cases confirm there is community spread in Macon County.

“Based on the large amount of positives that we have received over the last week, we have determined that there is community spread in Macon County. We encourage everyone who is able to stay home, to do so. For those who still have to make essential trips, we remind you to practice the 3W’s: Wear, Wash, and Wait,” said Dr. Dewhurst, MCPH Medical Director.

MCPH is reminding community members to practice the 3W’s: wear a mask, wash your hands, and wait 6 feet apart from others. MCPH is also recommending businesses, churches, and community gathering places to take temperatures of all employees before the start of their shift, implement flexible sick leave policies to allow for employees to take time-off if they or their immediate family is ill, encouraging the disinfection of high-touch surfaces (like doorknobs, keypads, tablets, etc.) and to require masks for all employees.

MCPH is working to identify additional close contacts of these individuals. The CDC defines close contact as being within approximately 6 feet of a person with an infection with COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time of 10 minutes or longer. Based on information provided by the individual, 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 entire state of North Carolina is under a “Safer at Home” executive order, currently under phase two. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19; however, anyone of any age can become infected with this illness. Therefore, we ask that community members strictly follow the governor’s orders and continue to practice social distancing, as well as safe hygiene measures such as hand washing and frequently cleaning touched objects and surfaces. The public can monitor the different phases of re-opening and learn more about the restrictions by clicking here.

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website and NCDHHS’ website, which also includes future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

MCPH regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19; we encourage the public to check our Facebook page by clicking here for up-to-date information.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call the Health Department at 828-349-2517. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm, until further notice.

Form more information: https://www.franklinnc.com/covid-19-coronavirus-franklin-nc.html