Second Coronavirus Case Reported In Iredell County

MOORESVILLE, NC — A second person in Iredell County has tested “presumptive positive” for novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the Iredell County Health Department announced Wednesday evening.

“At this time, the individual is isolating at home and willingly cooperating with public health officials,” ICHD said in a statement. “To protect the individual’s privacy, no further information will be shared. Iredell County Health Department team members are monitoring the individual during their mandatory isolation and are identifying close contacts to monitor symptoms and contain potential spread."

A person who is confirmed as having COVID-19 is issued an isolation order by the county health director, ICHD said. “Violation of this Isolation Order could result in injunctive relief or criminal penalties,” the agency said in a statement. Anyone identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive will also be issued a Quarantine Order that also comes with penalties if it is not followed.

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County health officials are urging residents to follow social distancing protocols to limit potential exposure by avoiding crowded places and staying at least six feet from others.

“Even if individuals feel healthy and are not exhibiting symptoms, it is important for everyone to follow these measures to better protect themselves and their fellow residents,” ICHD said. “This is especially significant for certain populations who are at high risk for severe illness. These populations include those 65 years or older, those with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, or those with weakened immune systems.”

As of Wednesday morning, there were 63 reported cases of the COVID-19 virus in North Carolina, according to the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

The Town of Mooresville declared a state of emergency Monday evening, less than one week after Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for the state on March 10. The town also announced it is closing all indoor recreation facilities, the Mooresville Golf Club and the public library until further notice.

Globally, nearly 215,000 people have been infected and more than 8,700 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Wednesday evening. Of that total, nearly 8,000 cases have been confirmed in the United States.

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