ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Albemarle Regional Health Services confirmed on Wednesday the first positive case of coronavirus in Chowan County.
Health officials say the person is currently in isolation.
RHS is following North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) guidelines on contact tracing of anyone who may have had close contact with the person who tested positive.
Close contacts are defined as having direct contact with - or have been within six feet for at least 10 minutes - of a case patient while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Caregivers and household members of the case patient are considered close contacts.
Public health interventions are and will continue to be an important tool to reduce transmission and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
ARHS is continuing to ask people in the community to be vigilant in practicing preventive and safety measures that will help prevent the spread of the virus.
These precautions include:
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Staying home when you are sick.
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Washing your 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 soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
- Practicing social distancing; stay at least six feet away from others, avoid unnecessary travel, avoid handshakes, hugs and other close contact.
To slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the number of people infected, communities should be following the guidance set by local, state and federal officials to reduce frequency of contact and increase physical distance between people, which will reduce the risks of person-to-person transmission.
