Second drive-thru testing event will be scheduled, and more Dare County COVID-19 updates for Friday

While all 200 appointment slots for the drive-thru COVID-19 testing event for May 26 are full, Dare County announced that they will be scheduling a second drive-thru testing event in the near future, with details to be announced on Wednesday, May 27.

Additional COVID-19-related updates for Friday, May 22, are as follows.

COVID-19 Call Center closed Memorial Day

The COVID-19 Call Center will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2020 in observance of Memorial Day. The center will reopen on the following day, Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. The number for the call center is 252.475.5008.

Drive-thru Testing Event Update

Drive-thru testing appointments are full for May 26, 2020.  An announcement will be made by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 with details about the next event.

Safer at Home Reminders

North Carolina moves from Phase 1 into Safer At Home Phase 2 of slowly lifting COVID-19 restrictions today, Friday, May 22 at 5:00 p.m. The following are important reminders to consider throughout the weekend:

• Individuals who are at high risk for serious illness, should continue to stay at home and only travel for absolute essential purposes.

• Social gatherings are still limited. Indoor gatherings should have no more than 10 individuals and outdoor gatherings should have no more than 25 individuals.

Practice the 3 W’s

Continue to practice the Three W’s when you leave home, to slow the spread of COVID-19  – Wear. Wait. Wash.

• Wear a cloth face covering if you will be with other people.

• Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

COVID-19 & Child Care

Child care is just one of the many industries that have been impacted by COVID-19. Families may be faced with adults needing to return to work before child care centers have reopened.

The Children & Youth Partnership (CYP) has a Child Care Resource and Referral Specialist who can provide more information about the licensed programs in Dare County and share other resources to help you learn about alternatives. For more information, visit darekids.org or contact CYP by email at cypobx@darekids.org or call 252.441.0614 and leave a message for a return call.

Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Social Services Division administers the Subsidized Child Care Program. The amount the state pays for child care depends on the family’s situational criteria, the family’s income, and the cost of the care provided. You may be eligible to receive child care assistance if one or more of these situations apply to your family:

• You are working or attempting to find work;

• You are in school or a job training program;

• Your child is receiving child protective services, your child has developmental needs; or

• Your family is in crisis.

To receive additional information or to begin the process of applying for child care subsidy, contact Yvette Pollock at pollocky@dcdss.org or 252.475.5536 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

COVID-19 Numbers Update

In North Carolina, there are currently 21,618 cases of COVID-19 in 100 counties. There have been 728 fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 568 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness.

The number of positive COVID-19 tests in Dare County has remained at 22 for the past 8 days. Of those 22 Dare County cases, 19 have recovered or are asymptomatically cleared, 1 died and 2 are active. Of the 2 active, 1 is hospitalized and 1 is recovering in home isolation. For the most up to date information on COVID-19 cases in Dare County and the State of North Carolina, visit  darenc.com/covid19.