N.C. COVID-19 case count up to 40 with no cases reported on the Outer Banks; Closures announced throughout the OBX

As of 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the state of North Carolina had a total of 40 cases of the novel Coronavirus, however, there were still no cases of COVID-19 reported on the Outer Banks in Dare, Currituck or Hyde Counties.

The total number of cases on Monday morning was 33.

The majority of current cases are in the central part of the state, and specifically Wake County. Craven, Onslow and Brunswick remain the only coastal North Carolina counties to have cases of Coronavirus, with one case reported in each county. As of Tuesday morning, no deaths have been reported from COVID-19 in North Carolina.

On Monday, March 16, the White House and the CDC announced guidelines and a plan to slow the spread of COVID-19. Per an update from Dare County Heath and Human Services, All Dare County community members should do what they can to follow these guidelines. Dare County also issued a State of Emergency on Monday, following a meeting of the Dare County Control Group, to allow individual towns to quickly implement restrictions necessary to help combat the spread of COVID-19. At this time, the State of Emergency restricts mass gatherings of 50 people or more in Dare County.

Many Dare County facilities are closed, which includes county libraries, parks and recreation facilities, and the Fessenden Center. For a complete list of countywide closures, visit https://www.darenc.com/departments/health-human-services/coronavirus/coronavirus-cancellations-and-closures.

A number of restaurants on Hatteras Island have also closed or have switched to delivery / take-out service in response to the Coronavirus guidelines. A Facebook group was recently formed to provide updates on closures, hours of operation, and take-out service for island restaurants.

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo, the Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, and other state historic sites and museums will be closed starting Tuesday due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The Island Free Press will continue to post updates as soon as they are available.