Coronavirus In Iredell County: Case Count Now At 8

MOORESVILLE, NC — There are now at least eight cases of the novel coronavirus in Iredell County, county health officials announced Monday afternoon. The increase comes as the outbreak of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, continues to surge across the state and around the nation.

As of 8:30 a.m. March 23, there were 297 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported in North Carolina. No deaths have been reported in the state.

Iredell county’s first two cases were confirmed earlier last week, however, county officials received confirmation of four additional cases over the weekend. By Monday afternoon, another two presumptive positive cases were reported, for a total of eight, the Iredell County Health Department said.

SEE ALSO: Coronavirus: NC School Closures Extended Through May 15

“The Iredell County Health Department continues to diligently manage this evolving situation by conducting the appropriate public health follow-up with individuals testing positive and their close contacts,” ICHD said in a statement.

County health officials continue to urge residents to practice social distancing in order to limit potential exposure.

Says ICHD:
“Social distancing means the avoidance of crowded places and maintaining distances of at least six feet from other people. In addition, its important for households to remember the importance of practicing everyday preventative actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, cell phones, computers, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water
• Wash your 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 a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty."

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By Sunday afternoon, another three cases had been reported.

“The Health Department is managing this rapidly evolving situation by making contact with the individuals, identifying and contacting the close contacts of the individuals, and instructing close contacts to stay home and monitor their symptoms in an attempt to contain potential spread,” ICHD said.

County health officials said anyone tested for COVID-19 and awaiting test results should self-quarantine to prevent possible spread.

“This means you should stay home and limit any close contact with family, friends and the general public as much as possible,” ICHD said. “Close contact means being within six feet of a person for a prolonged period of time, generally a minimum of [10] minutes. If you become symptomatic, meaning you have a fever, develop a cough, or have shortness of breath, you should also immediately limit your contact with family, friends, and the general public and seek testing.”

Last week, the Town of Mooresville declared a state of emergency and also announced it is closing all indoor recreation facilities, the Mooresville Golf Club and the public library until further notice. Friday, Town hall and all town buildings were closed to the public effectively immediately.

Globally, more than 351,000 people have been infected and more than 15,000 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Monday morning. Of that total, 35,241 cases have been confirmed in the United States.

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