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Compiled by Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy

This past week, Dare County has added four new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 22 cases.

“The most recent case is a Dare County resident. It is unclear how this individual came into contact with the virus which indicates the potential that the virus was acquired by community spread. This individual is recovering in home isolation,” stated Sheila Davies, Dare County director of Health and Human Services in her video posted on Thursday, May 14.

All identified direct contacts of this individual were notified on May 14.

Of the 22 cases, 17 patients have recovered or are asymptomatically cleared, one has died and four are active. Active means an individual currently has the COVID-19 virus and is being monitored daily by the health department. Of the four active cases, one is hospitalized and the other three are recovering in home isolation.

In North Carolina, current cases number 17,129 as of Friday, May 15. This is an increase of 622 cases since May 14.

Recorded deaths are 641 individuals, showing an increase of 26 deaths. Hospitalizations fluctuate. The number stands at 492, a decrease of 15.

In her May14 video, Davis addressed testing for COVID-19 in Dare County:

“. . . testing for COVID-19 is a hot topic at the federal, state and local level as it provides data and key information about the spread and severity of disease in communities.

“I understand there is some frustration and concern in our community about testing availability. I believe this in part because the messages people are hearing from the federal, state and local level differ.

“The message at the federal level is that anyone who needs testing should get tested and that testing should be free. Unfortunately, that has not trickled down to Dare County at this time . . .

“At the state level, North Carolina is pushing for increased testing. NC DHHS has a testing task force that is working on some strategic partnerships to further increase testing availability. We have inquired several times about providing opportunities for free or mass testing in Dare County but have been informed at this time all of the sites have already been selected.

“In absence of available federal or state assistance at this time, we have been working to find alternative opportunities. I expect to be able to share more information on a local initiative for COVID-19 drive-through testing by next week.”

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