Durham County’s coronavirus count jumps as North Carolina numbers rise
As North Carolina’s coronavirus count continues to rise, Durham County reported 10 new cases Friday afternoon.
Durham’s total count now stands at 103, joining Wake and Mecklenburg Counties in handling the bulk of North Carolina’s coronavirus cases..
Officials from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services have said that the positive case numbers don’t offer a full picture of the state’s coronavirus outbreak, as not everyone exhibiting symptoms is tested.
With its new cases, Durham County’s Department of Public Health said it is investigating the movements of the patients in an effort to notify anyone else who may have come into contact with the individuals.
Thursday, Durham’s N.C. Central University reported its first case, an off-campus student who self-reported their positive case. While the student lives off campus, the university said on its website, they reported being in N.C. Central’s Eagle Landing Residence Hall on March 21. N.C. Central said it is in the process of tracking possible exposures.
Durham’s stay-at-home order has been in effect for 24 hours, restricting the movements of city residents in an effort to blunt the local spread of the virus. Wake, Orange and five other counties have similar orders. Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday issued a statewide stay-at-home order that takes effect Monday at 5 p.m.
On Friday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services broadened its picture of the state’s coronavirus patients, reporting age and gender data for the first time. The average age of North Carolina’s coronavirus case is 41, according to state data.
