BREAKING: CDC confirms first case of coronavirus in North Carolina
The first case of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, has been confirmed in North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper confirmed in a news release Tuesday.
After North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health conducted a test on the individual, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the positive result Tuesday.
The patient is a Wake County resident who traveled to the state of Washington and was exposed while at a long-term care facility, where there was a known COVID-19 outbreak, according to the news release.
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“I know that people are worried about this virus, and I want to assure North Carolinians our state is prepared,” Cooper said. “Our task force and state agencies are working closely with local health departments, health care providers and others to quickly identify and respond to cases that might occur.”
CDC recommends preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash 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.
• If you are concerned you might have the coronavirus, call your healthcare provider before going to a hospital or clinic. In mild cases, your doctor might give you advice on how to treat symptoms at home without seeing you in person, which would reduce the number of people you expose. But in more severe cases an urgent care center or hospital would benefit from advance warning because they can prepare for your arrival. For example, they may want you to enter a special entrance, so you don’t expose others.
Source: CDC
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control's website showed 60 cases in 12 U.S. states as of Tuesday, and a total of six deaths. However, nine deaths have been confirmed in Washington by several health professionals and media outlets, according to a report by the Raleigh News & Observer.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said in a media briefing Tuesday that there are now 90,893 reported cases of COVID-19 globally, and 3,110 deaths, according to a transcript of his remarks obtained by the News & Observer.
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The North Carolina coronavirus patient is being isolated at home for now and is doing well, Cooper said. The case appears to be isolated, he said.
About the Author
Stephanie has been telling stories her whole life. Her interest in the written word started with short stories and journal entries about run-ins with classroom bullies as a child and matured to writing for her high school newspaper over the years. She has written and edited for The Tennessean, Augusta Chronicle and American City & County.
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