Fayetteville Today

Cumberland County issued the following announcement on Nov. 24.

The Department of Public Health reports 190 new COVID-19 cases since the last report on Friday, Nov. 20. Cumberland County has 8,895 total COVID-19 cases since the onset of the pandemic and remains in the Orange tier of the NC COVID-19 County Alert System. The total death toll in Cumberland County from COVID-19 is 115.

Tier Orange indicates substantial community spread using case rates, the percent of tests that are positive and hospital impact within Cumberland County.

Using case data as of Nov. 20, 7,154 cases are considered recovered. Recovery data is reported using the N. C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) estimated median time to recover of 14 days from the date of specimen collection for non-fatal COVID-19 cases who were not hospitalized, or if hospitalization status is unknown. The estimated median recovery time is 28 days from the date of specimen collection for hospitalized non-fatal COVID-19 cases. Estimates are used since patient-specific data on the actual time to resolution of all symptoms are not available for all COVID-19 cases in North Carolina.

Consider the Risk

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, officials urge you to consider the risks when gathering with loved ones.

“You might be healthy, young and not worried about COVID-19, but consider your loved ones,” says Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green. “This virus is ravaging our most vulnerable and it’s up to us to protect them.”

Protecting our loved ones begins with the three Ws: Wear a mask. Wait six feet apart. Wash hands often or use hand sanitizer. It doesn’t stop there. Get tested if you have symptoms or think you’ve been around someone with COVID-19. Visit ncdhhs.gov/testingplace to find testing near you.

The Message is Clear—Wear a Mask

Gov. Roy Cooper issued additional COVID-19 safety measures to tighten mask requirements and enforcement as cases continue to rise rapidly in North Carolina and across the country. Executive Order 180 goes into effect on Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 11.

The order tightens the existing statewide mask requirement – making it clear that everyone needs to wear a mask whenever they are with someone who is not from the same household. 

The order also adds the mask requirement to several additional settings including any public indoor space even when maintaining 6 feet of distance; gyms even when exercising; all schools public and private; and all public or private transportation when travelling with people outside of the household.

Large retail businesses with more than 15,000 square feet are now required to have an employee stationed near entrances ensuring mask wearing and implementing occupancy limits for patrons who enter.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions for Executive Order No. 180.

Staying Updated

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: https://www.co.cumberland.nc.us//departments/public-information-group/public-information-office/news-release-full-story/2020/11/24/act-now-to-fight-substantial-community-spread-190-new-cases-in-cumberland