Wake County announces 14 more cases of coronavirus
Wake County reported 14 new cases of COVID-19, which causes the coronavirus, Monday evening, upping the county’s total from 52 to to 66 cases.
Wake has the third-most coronavirus cases in the state behind Mecklenburg County and Durham County. Durham County reported 30 new cases Monday night and now has 71 cases.
There are now more than 350 positive cases in North Carolina.
The numbers are expected to continue to increase as testing statewide also increases.
“While we continue to learn about new positive cases in our community, our message to you remains the same,” said Dr. Kim McDonald, Wake County medical director. “Practice social distancing, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and if you feel sick, stay at home and isolate yourself. If we, as a community, can slow the spread of the virus, we can lessen the burden on our healthcare system while protecting our high-risk neighbors.”
In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, Wake County officials declared a heightened state of emergency Sunday, limiting crowd sizes, closing gyms and grooming services and urging employers to screen employees for high temperatures.
The county also says it has taken steps at the South Wilmington Street Center to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for residents who depend on the county for a place to sleep at night, according to a press release. The county added a lunch service to keep residents at the shelter. Those residents, which live in dorms, are served their food at their dorm on a schedule.
Statewide, Governor Roy Cooper banned gatherings of more than 50 people and ordered businesses such as gyms, movie theaters and barbershops to close by Wednesday. Cooper also said that public schools in the state will remain closed until May 15.
The first coronavirus case in North Carolina was announced on March 3. A Wake County man tested positive after traveling to Kirkland, Washington, where he had visited a senior care facility where there was a COVID-19 outbreak.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 7:56 PM.
