Wake County reports new cases of coronavirus and a change in strategy
Wake County reported Tuesday it has at least seven new cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
The number of reported cases grew from 66 cases on Monday. The county said in a press release that it had identified 73 cases as of 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Across North Carolina, there have been more than 400 positive tests for coronavirus, and state health officials predicted the virus would be in all 100 counties by next week.
Neighboring Durham County had 74 cases on Tuesday.
Wake taking on new strategy
Wake County officials estimate that of the 66 residents who had tested positive for the new coronavirus through Monday, five to 10 do not know where or how they were infected.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refers to this as “community spread,” and because of it, the county is changing its strategy to fight the spread of COVID-19, which has infected more than 400 people in North Carolina.
The county’s new strategy encourages less testing of those with mild symptoms and more self-isolation in an effort to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with patients when the numbers increase.
The county will instead reserve its tests for people 65 years old or older, people with underlying health conditions, first responders and health care workers.
“We don’t want people with mild illness coming out to get tested and exposing themselves, if they are (negative), to other people who are positive, and vice versa,” Wake County medical director Kim McDonald said. “People with mild illness, knowing you’re positive doesn’t change the treatment.”
“The treatment really is just staying home, taking care of yourself, drinking plenty of fluids, getting rest and that sort of thing.”
Stay at home
People who do not fall into the at-risk groups but show COVID-19 symptoms are encouraged to isolate themselves for seven days after they experience their first symptoms.
If symptoms are mild, they don’t need testing, the county says.
Mild symptoms include fever, cough, mild shortness of breath, and feeling congested and fatigued, EMS Deputy Director Jeff Williams said.
Once the symptoms clear, people should remain at home without fever for three more days.
If a serious illness develops, they should call their primary care provider. If they have trouble breathing, they should call 9-1-1.
The county will continue to monitor the at-risk people it tests, but will no longer monitor cases in the public at large.
“When there is community spread of a virus, in this case, the coronavirus,” Williams said, “we know that the vast majority of people who contract the virus, especially those that are young and otherwise healthy, are typically going to be just fine and have just mild symptoms, and therefore don’t need testing or further medical care.”
The public is still encouraged to practice social distancing, stay at home when sick and wash their hands.
On Sunday, Wake County officials declared a heightened state of emergency, limiting crowd sizes, closing gyms and grooming services and urging employers to screen employees for high temperatures.
Statewide, Gov. 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.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 4:54 PM.
