Durham, N.C. – The Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Health Human Services (NCDHHS) is closely monitoring Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since January 2020, DCoDPH has been in ongoing contact with NCDHHS as NCDHHS leads COVID-19 monitoring and preparedness efforts for the state. As of February 28, 2020, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina.

To protect from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, NCDHHS and the CDC recommends everyone take the following everyday precautions:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
• Stay home when you are sick.

DCoDPH will continue to work with NCDHSS to coordinate monitoring and preparedness efforts for COVID-19 and will provide informational updates as needed.

More information regarding COVID-19 preparedness measures in North Carolina may be found in  the latest NCDHHS update, issued February 26, 2020, at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/governor%E2%80%99s-task-force-encourages-north-carolinians-increase-preparedness.

For continued, up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/COVID19.html and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

For other questions and concerns regarding COVID-19 in North Carolina, call the NCDHHS hotline at 1-866-462-3821.

For media requests for the Durham County Department of Public Health, contact DCoDPH Communications and Public Relations Manager Alecia Smith at aleciasmith@dconc.gov or (919) 560-7226.