Dare County COVID-19 cases up to 18; Phased entry for property owners begins today
Dare County Emergency Management issued a public safety alert this morning using the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). These alerts will be helpful in ensuring individuals in Dare County are informed of the required measures in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Additional updates on COVID-19 from the county for Monday, May 4, are as follows:
Department of Health & Human Services
- State Cases of COVID-19 In North Carolina, there are currently 11,848 cases of COVID-19 in 99 counties. There have been 430 fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 498 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness.
- County’s Positive Test Results Two additional positive test results were reported to the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services the evening of May 1, 2020, bringing the total count of positive test results to 18. These two individuals who tested positive are family members of the individual whose positive test result was reported on April 30, 2020. These cases were acquired by direct contact and are not indicative of community spread.
The Dare County COVID-19 webpage has a section for quick reference which provides the most up to date information on COVID-19 cases in Dare County and also the State of North Carolina. You can find this information at darenc.com/covid19.
Phased Entry for Property Owners Continues Through Friday
Dare County is open to non-resident property owners who have a valid entry permit with matching government-issued ID according to the schedule below:
- Monday, May 4 – Entry is ongoing for non-resident property owners whose last name begins with A – I.
- Wednesday, May 6 at 6:00 a.m. – Entry begins and is ongoing for non-resident property owners whose last name begins with J – R.
- Friday, May 8 at 6:00 a.m. – Entry begins and is ongoing for non-resident property owners whose last name begins with S – Z.
Entry permits can be obtained at darenc.com/entry. Following the instructions provided, non-resident property owners can receive permits by applying online. Permits will be issued to the two “Primary Owners” listed on the tax record for each property. Those who are entering should have permits and proper identification ready before approaching the entry checkpoint. A list of frequently asked questions about entry to Dare County is available on the COVID-19 FAQs page.
All non-resident property owners should bring their own supplies to sustain themselves in their homes as much as possible, including groceries, prescriptions, paper products and other essentials.
Public Safety Alerts
As planned and announced in Bulletin #54, Dare County Emergency Management utilized the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to issue a public safety alert this morning. IPAWS allows public safety messages to be sent to enabled wireless cellular devices that are in or that enter Dare County.
The goal of using IPAWS to issue these public safety alerts is to raise awareness of the State and County stay at home orders that are in place, as well as the Dare County requirement to wear a face-covering in public settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain. As our population gradually increases these alerts will be helpful in ensuring individuals in Dare County are informed of the required measures in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Future alerts will be issued late morning to early afternoon.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners will hold their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 5 at 9:00 a.m. at the Dare County Administration Building in Manteo. The meeting will be streamed live and can be accessed via YouTube at https://youtu.be/tslxP71a6uQ or www.currenttv.org. Public comments may be presented to the Board by sending an email during the meeting to DCBOC@darenc.com.
Item 3 on the agenda is a public hearing for the Flood Maps, Flood Ordinance and Zoning Amendments. Item 4 on the agenda is a public hearing for the Adoption of 2020 S-12 Supplement to the County of Dare Code of Ordinances for Publication.
Comments may be submitted for the public hearings by emailing dcboc@darenc.com during the meeting.
Dare County continues to provide services for residents, property owners and businesses. Be sure to call the department or office before you visit to reduce the need for in-person interactions. For a listing of departments and their altered or online services, visit darenc.com/covidservices.
For a list of national, state, and local resources to help individuals, families and businesses during this difficult time, visit darenc.com/covidresources.
The Dare County COVID-19 Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 252-475-5008 to answer your COVID-19-related questions.
The Outer Banks Hospital
First, we welcome back our non-resident property owners to the Outer Banks.
Beginning today, Monday, May 4, The Outer Banks Hospital is taking a purposeful and phased approach to increasing access to outpatient radiology and essential surgery cases that, if not taken care of within four weeks would cause harm to our patients. This defined process includes sterilization and cleaning protocols carried out by specially-trained environmental services teams who have ensured – and will continue to ensure – surfaces are fully sanitized. The phased approach also includes ongoing review and confirmation of adequate PPE and other supplies necessary to support team member and patient safety. Patient screening and testing are required 48-hours prior to surgery and strict protocols are in place to address positive results.
Most importantly, we encourage you to emphasize to your family, friends and neighbors that emergency care should not be delayed. There have been no changes in how we treat emergent cases, and necessary surgeries and procedures will not be delayed.
As essential care and services are phased in, we must all remember that COVID-19 remains a highly infectious respiratory virus without a vaccine or effective treatment. Our visitor restrictions and universal masking requirements remain in place. It is still important that we all continue to practice social distancing and proper hand hygiene, and that we stay home as much as possible to help stop the spread.
