10-23-20 test status update, message Haywood County health director

Haywood County -- Haywood County Health Department Health Director: Case Trends:

This week has been good from the perspective of the low number of positive cases (just 2-5 a day) but not so good as far as the number of people exposed. We had a positive from a wedding out of state. One positive case did not isolate after testing. 46 contacts of this one individual were identified in Haywood County and 18 of these contacts were determined to have had 1st degree  exposure and are in quarantine.  Another case did not consistently wear a mask in an office setting and neither did the co-workers. As a result, eleven were exposed. This is a lesson we’ve learned the hard way in Haywood County. In an office setting it’s easy to let your guard down among co-workers because you know them.  But just because you know someone doesn’t mean they don’t have COVID. Stay home if you are feeling sick, and call your provider about getting tested. And by all means, if you get tested you need to isolate and wait for the results.

EVIDENCE FOR FACE MASKS IS OVERWHELMING

Despite a lot of misinformation circulating online, the evidence that facemasks help limit the spread of COVID is overwhelming. Read about it here: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/information/individuals-families-and-communities/cloth-face-coverings-and-masks  Here’s a direct link to a full summary of peer reviews, analyses, and studies: https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/info-for/The-effectiveness-of-face-masks-to-prevent-SARS-CoV.pdf

FOOD RESOURCES

The latest English and Spanish Haywood County Food Resource Guides are attached.  Please share with anyone who could benefit from this information.

AS ALWAYS

DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN! Since several recent cases involve folks relaxing their masking at work, it seems worth repeating:

WEAR a mask that covers your mouth and nose anytime you leave your home, including at work
WAIT six feet apart--give others space!
WASH your hands frequently with soap and water, and disinfect surfaces
ISOLATE as soon as you feel sick, and get tested
QUARANTINE if you are exposed or tested for COVID
ISOLATE if you test positive, and follow guidance from your provider and contact tracers
DO what you can to NOT be a close contact with anyone (Remember a close contact is considered to be within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes and not wearing a face covering. Your best bet is to protect yourself and others by following the guidance above.)
GET your information from reliable resources:https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/Coronavirus-Covid-19-Information
https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Haywood County COVID hotline: 828-356-2019

NC COVID hotline: 888-892-1162