Latest Coronavirus Update: New Cases Confirmed In Mooresville

MOORESVILLE, NC — There are at least 77 people confirmed to have novel coronavirus and three related deaths in Iredell County, county health officials said Thursday afternoon.

The development comes as the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, increased to 5,465 cases in North Carolina Thursday, present in 93 of the state's 100 counties.

Iredell County health officials are grouping cases into three regions of the county: North, Central and South. New data released by the county health department Thursday afternoon indicates that at least three new cases were confirmed since Wednesday in the Mooresville area in south Iredell County, as well as three new cases in the central region of the county.

Here's a breakdown of where cases are emerging as of April 16, according to the Iredell County Department of Health:

North Region (zip codes 27020, 27028, 27055, 28625, 28634, 28636, 28660, 28689 ad 28678)

• 14 cases

Central Region (zip codes 27013, 28166, 28677)

• 16 cases

South Region (zip codes 28036, 28115, 28117, 28125)

• 47 cases

SEE ALSO: What's Open, Closed In Mooresville During Coronavirus Shutdowns

According to county health data, the age group with the most coronavirus cases is 50 to 64 year olds with 34 percent of all Iredell cases, followed by 25 to 49 year olds with 32 percent of the cases and 18 to 24 year olds with 16 percent of cases. Those 65 and older make up 18 percent of patients in Iredell County.

At least 131 people in North Carolina have died as a result of COVID-19, state health officials said Thursday.

Iredell County health officials announced the county's third COVID-19-related death Thursday evening.

"The individual was at higher risk for serious illness and died from complications associated with the novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19. In order to protect the families’ privacy, no further information about this individual will be released," Iredell County Heath Department said in a statement.

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Iredell County residents are changing their patterns amid stay-at-home orders, according to a Google study. Retail and recreation activities are down 40 percent, and workplace activity is down by 36 percent, according to Google's community mobility data report. At the same time, visits to county parks are up 55 percent.

Last week, Iredell County health officials recommended county residents wear cloth face masks in public settings.

"The use of cloth face coverings will not protect you from other people's germs, but it will provide a level of protection to others in case you are infected," ICHD said. "This would be important if someone is infected with COVID-19 but does not have symptoms."

The recommendation does not replace the need to also continue social distancing, proper handwashing and staying home when sick, health officials said.

Here are ICHD's recommendations for face masks:

• They should cover your nose and mouth.
• They can be worn when out in public where you may be near people like grocery stores or pharmacies.
• They are not a substitute for social distancing. People should still keep 6 feet of distance and stay home to the greatest extent possible.
• They can be made from household items with common materials at low cost.
• They should not be used on children under the age of 2, people who have trouble breathing or anyone who would be unable to remove the covering without assistance.
• They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use. You can wash the face covering in the washing machine.
• After you remove a cloth covering from your face, you should be careful not to touch your face and wash your hands immediately after removing.

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