Cumberland County issued the following announcement on Aug. 21.
The Department of Public Health reports 151 new COVID-19 cases and five additional deaths since the Tuesday, Aug. 18, report. Cumberland County's case count is now 3,798 with 61 deaths.
Cumberland County currently has 108 cases per 10,000 residents, with 9% of those tested returning positive for COVID-19.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) COVID-19 dashboard, of the 61 deaths:
- 83% were age 65 and older
- 62.7% were male
- 55.7% were African American
- 72.1% were hospitalized
- 86.9% had at least one comorbidity
- 52.5% lived in a congregate living setting
Public Health officials are urging students to avoid mass gatherings as they return to area universities and colleges.
“We are already seeing cases increases in those ages 18-25 in our area and around the state,” said Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green. “We understand college is a time to be social, but we must not relax our measures to slow the spread of this virus.”
Students should practice their 3 Ws. Wear a face covering. Wait 6 feet apart from others. Wash your hands often.
Quarantine and Isolation Protocols
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently updated its isolation guidance based on the latest science about COVID-19 showing that people can continue to test positive for up to three months after diagnosis and not be infectious to others. The latest data suggests that retesting someone in the three months following initial infection is not necessary unless that person is exhibiting the symptoms of COVID-19 and the symptoms cannot be associated with another illness.
People with COVID-19 should be isolated for at least 10 days after symptom onset and until 24 hours after their fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medications.
People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19—excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past three months should self-quarantine and monitor your symptoms.
What counts as close contact?
- You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
- You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
- You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
- You shared eating or drinking utensils
- They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
Cumberland County has made it easy for you to stay updated on the latest information about COVID-19. You can visit our COVID-19 webpage, which has a list of COVID-19-related closures and service changes. The county is also sharing important information on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Original source: http://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/departments/public-information-group/public-information-office/news-release-full-story/2020/08/21/151-new-cases-officials-urge-students-to-avoid-mass-gatherings
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