Dare County releases COVID-19 updates for Friday, April 10

In North Carolina, there are currently 3,908 cases of COVID-19 in 91 counties. There have been 74 fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 423 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness.

To date, Dare County has reported 13 positive test results for COVID-19. Of the 13 individuals who have tested positive, 8 have recovered/or are asymptomatically cleared (meaning they are 7 days post testing with no symptoms), 3 are asymptomatic (meaning they have not experienced any COVID-19 symptoms), 1 is recovering at home and 1 died.

As we begin the third weekend with Stay Home, Stay Healthy measures in place, it is important to continue to emphasize the guidelines that are in place for slowing the spread of the virus. This information may seem repetitive, but it is critical in our fight against the spread of COVID-19.

• Stay home, and only go out for necessities or exercise, and only have contact with the people you live with.
• Avoid contact with persons that you know are sick.
• Cover your cough (cough into the crook of your elbow; or use a tissue and throw in trash).
• Practice good hand hygiene (wash 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 you do not have access to soap and water, use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
• Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces with household cleaners.
• Consider using a cloth face covering to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  A face covering alone is insufficient to provide an adequate level of protection, and other measures should also be utilized.

Earlier this week, the Dare County Division of Public Health provided information about emergency planning and surge preparedness. As pointed out, statewide statistics provide critical information regarding how the virus is trending, and helps us understand the picture of COVID-19 impacts on North Carolina. This information provides a visualization of data, which can include peaks in positive cases, age groups and populations or regions most impacted by COVID-19, which will aid decision makers across North Carolina.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has established a wonderful resource that provides citizens with reliable data and information. The COVID-19 North Carolina Dashboard data is updated once daily. The main page provides the number of positive, lab confirmed cases, the total number of deaths in NC, and the number of tests completed. Please note the number of tests reported may not be all inclusive as commercial labs are not required to report the number of tests performed, only positive results. Also, on this page are the number of individuals currently hospitalized in NC for COVID-19 related illnesses and the number of NC counties reporting positive cases.

Scrolling down the page, there are a number of tabs that provide specific data:

• County Map – provides a graphical representation of where cases are in NC.
• By Counties – provides a list of the counties and the number of reported cases per county. (You will find this number for Dare County may be different from what is reported on the Dare County website. The state number reflects only those cases with identification that listed a Dare County address. The Dare County figure reflects the total number of cases reported to Dare County, not just those with a Dare County address.)
• Age – shows the age breakdown of the total number of NC cases and fatalities. (This number may also vary between what the state reports and what Dare County reports. This variance is also related to the physical address on the individual’s identification. Additionally, at the local level data will be reported as soon as it is available whereas the state may have a day or two delay based on the filing of death reports.)
• Race/Ethnicity – shows the race breakdown by number count and percentages for the NC confirmed cases and deaths.
• Gender – shows the breakdown of cases and deaths by gender.
• Cases Over Time – shows the number of new COVID-19 cases each day based on when the individual’s specimen was collected.
• By Reporting Hospital – shows the inpatient hospital bed count. This is a valuable metric related to surge planning as it provides a snapshot of how many empty beds are available in NC and the type of bed (inpatient or ICU bed). Also, under this tab you can see the number of patients on a ventilator (not specific to COVID-19) as self reported by hospitals as well as the total number of ventilators available. Again, this is a useful tool in surge and resource planning.
• PPE (personal protective equipment) – reflects the type of PPE requested from the Strategic National Stockpile and what has been distributed to the agencies across the state that have made PPE requests.
• Congregate Living – shows the COVID-19 outbreaks by congregate living type and includes counties where the facilities are located. (Again, local information is being shared as soon as it is available and the state updates their data daily based on reports filed with the state.)

Continue to rely on credible sources for accurate, updated information. Visit the CDC website at cdc.gov/coronavirus or NCDHHS at ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus. For information specific to Dare County, visit darenc.com/covid19.

Dare County

It is important for everyone in Dare County to continue to follow social distancing guidelines and act as if everyone you come in contact with has COVID-19 and has the ability to spread the virus. Restrict ALL non-essential movement. Only go out when absolutely necessary (for essential needs). Avoid direct contact, other than immediate family members. Practice good hygiene.

To help those impacted by COVID-19, a list of community resources and information on filing for unemployment, food support, emergency business loans, legal aid, and utility assistance is available at darenc.com/covidresources.

The Dare County COVID-19 Call Center is open until 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Staff is available to answer your questions at 252.475.5008. The Call Center will reopen on Monday, April 13 at 8:30 a.m.

The Outer Banks Hospital

We have certainly felt the love from our community over these past weeks. Whether it is the generosity of an individual, company, or restaurant the donations continue to help those on the front lines feel supported. Our team members have enjoyed some amazing meals and it will be no different this holiday weekend. To know that our mighty community is behind us, fuels our motivation to continue care 24/7. Remember on this holiday weekend to please maintain social distancing. It is incredibly important at this time that we continue to flatten the curve.

The next bulletin will be issued no later than 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.