11-24-20 COVID-19 cases up 81, case load reaches new high

Haywod County -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Nov. 24, 2020

In the three days since the last press release on Nov. 20, 2020, Haywood County Public Health has received notice of 81 new cases of COVID-19, compared to a total of 84 cases in the whole of last week.  As of 5 p.m. Nov. 23, 2020, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has recorded a total of 1,012 cases in Haywood County.

The rapid increase in positive cases along with the diversity of types of exposure is a clear indication of unchecked community spread.

“The numbers really speak for themselves,” said Interim Health Director Garron Bradish. “COVID-19 case numbers in Haywood County are accelerating rapidly. We continue to implore everyone to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth and keep at least six feet of distance any time you’re going to be around anyone who doesn’t live in your household.”

“This applies whether you’re dropping off some food to your grandparents, working with your favorite office mate, hanging out with your best friend, or walking past strangers in the grocery store. COVID-19 is extremely active in Haywood County and across the country right now, and the virus doesn’t care how well you know someone.  If it has the opportunity to spread from person to person, it will. Don’t give it the chance—wear a mask, keep your distance, minimize your contacts with others, and make smart choices over the holiday.”

Guidance for safe holiday celebrations can be found on North Carolina’s COVID-19 web page: https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/guidance/NCDHHS-Interim-Guidance-for-Thanksgiving.pdf

As of 5 p.m., Nov. 23, 2020, Haywood County’s COVID-19 working number, representing individuals who are in isolation or quarantine due to exposure, reached a new high point of 402 people. Of these, 135 cases are in isolation after testing positive and 267 people are in quarantine, having been identified as a close contact of a known case during contact tracing. All are being monitored by the Haywood County COVID-19 contact tracing team.

COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets; North Carolinians should take the same measures recommended to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/information/individuals-families-communities/individuals-and-families

Make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming 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.