NC Coronavirus: Now Up To 137 Cases, Present in 28 Counties

NORTH CAROLINA — There are now at least 137 presumptive positive cases of the novel coronavirus, which is now present in 28 counties in North Carolina, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. The total, announced around 9:30 Friday morning, represents an increase of 40 cases in the state since Thursday morning.

The morning tally update from state health officials, however, is quickly outpaced by county-level reports. In Mecklenburg County, for example, the Friday morning NC DHHS report indicated there are 28 cases of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, reported in the county. Shortly before noon, however, Mecklenburg County Public Health reported 43 positive COVID-19 cases.

Thursday, public health officials confirmed the first case of community spread of COVID-19 in North Carolina, reported in Wilson County. Community spread means the person came in contact with COVID-19 through unknown means and not through travel or by direct contact with someone who has tested positive.

The development means schools will likely remain closed for longer than initially anticipated, Gov. Roy Cooper said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

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"This is an expected, but still unfortunate new benchmark in this pandemic," Cooper said during the March 19 press conference. "Expected community spread is one of the many reasons our state made difficult decisions to take early, aggressive action to slow the spread."

State emergency officials are in the process of identifying facilities that could be used as emergency medical centers, and are pushing out more testing supplies and establishing more sample collection sites across the state, he said.

"I can't stress enough how much our state and the country will need the federal government to step up with testing supplies, protective equipment, and ventilators," Cooper said. "We are managing our resources and we are ahead of other states. But we can expect many more patients."

Community spread of COVID-19 means state health officials will now begin shifting from containment to mitigation, NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen said.

"Now that we have seen our first case of community spread, we see why these aggressive preventative measures are necessary," she said. "We strongly encourage everyone to heed our recommendations for social distancing."

Schools closures will be affected, Cooper said. "We're going to be out of schools for a while. The order was for March 30 but I think people know that with community spread and the crisis increasing, we will likely be out for longer," Cooper said.

Globally, nearly 255,000 people have been infected and nearly 10,500 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Thursday afternoon. Of that total, 14,250 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the United States.

Here's a rundown of where COVID-19 has been reported in North Carolina as of March 20, according to NC DHHS:

• Wake County — 23
• Durham County — 33
• Mecklenburg County — 28
• Harnett County — 6
• Orange County — 4
• Chatham County — 3
• Johnston County — 2
• Forsyth County — 7
• Craven County — 2
• Onslow County — 1
• Brunswick County — 2
• Sampson County — 1
• Wayne County — 1
• Wilson County — 2
• Guilford County — 4
• Iredell County — 2
• Lincoln County — 1
• Cabarrus County — 2
• Watauga County — 2
• Gaston County — 1
• Union County — 2
• Moore County — 2
• Hoke County — 1
• Rowan County — 1
• Davidson County — 1
• Pitt County — 1
• Pasquotank County — 1
• New Hanover County — 1

SEE ALSO: Coronavirus Outbreak: Tips To Prepare At Home

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can cause mild to more severe respiratory illness. In a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can cause death, particularly among those who are older or who have chronic medical conditions.

To lower the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus or spreading COVID-19, NCDHHS encourages the following behaviors:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.

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