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Albemarle Regional Health Services Health Director R. Battle Betts Jr., MPA has received notification of the second lab confirmed case of COVID-19 in Currituck County. The individual is  currently  isolated  in  another  state  and  has  not  been in  Currituck since January, according to a press release from ARHS.

ARHS is following North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) guidelines on contact tracing of all individuals who may have had close contact with the case. Close contacts are defined as having direct contact with – or having been within six feet for at least 10 minutes of – a case-patient while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment. Caregivers and household members of the case-patient are considered close contacts.

ARHS will continue to closely monitor other cases in Currituck County, but has stated it will no longer publish additional press releases for each individual case due to community transmission of COVID-19 throughout communities served by ARHS.

NCDHHS has implemented a COVID-19 case count for the state on their website. Information about the number of positive cases and tests performed throughout the state are updated daily. A state map can also be viewed which highlights cases within each county. This information may be found at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count- nc.

ARHS advises that public  health  interventions  are and  will  continue  to be an important  tool to reduce transmission and prevent the spread of COVID-19. ARHS is continuing to ask community members to be vigilant in practicing preventive  and  safety  measures  that  will  help  prevent  the  spread of the virus. These precautions include:

– Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

– Stay home when you are sick.

– Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

– Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

– Practice social distancing; stay at least six feet away from others, avoid unnecessary travel, avoid handshakes, hugs and other close contact.

To slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the number of people infected, ARHS advises that communities should be following the guidance set by local, state and federal officials to reduce frequency of contact and increase physical distance between persons, thereby reducing the risks of person-to-person transmission.

Further information about COVID-19 can be found here:

Albemarle Regional Health Services: http://www.arhs-nc.org/

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/

Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/

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