One Durham County resident has tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases among Durham County residents to 41.
The Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) is working to complete a contact investigation to determine if this individual had close contact with others while symptomatic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines close contact as being within approximately 6 feet of a person with a COVID-19 infection for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Durham County COVID-19 Response
DCoDPH is coordinating with the North Carolina Department of Health Human Services (NC DHHS) as NC DHHS leads COVID-19 response efforts for the state.
On March 14, 2020, Chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners Wendy Jacobs signed a Declaration of State of Emergency in Durham County. The declaration was made following President of the United States Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency and Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order and the North Carolina State of Emergency issued in response to the pandemic state of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
COVID-19 Mitigation Recommendations
DCoDPH and NCDHHS encourage everyone to take steps to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:
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Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
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Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
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Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
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Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
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Practice social distancing; maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet away from others
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Individuals at high risk should stay home to the extent possible. High risk individuals include those over 65 years of age; or with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes; or weakened immune systems
More Information
For more information, please visit the Durham County Department of Public Health’s website at dcopublichealth.org, the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, and the NCDHHS website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina. Information is also available on the DCoDPH (@durhamhealthnc), CDC (@CDC), and NCDHHS (@NCDHHS) Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.