The individual is a resident of Haywood County with no out of state travel history. Haywood County Public Health nurses are identifying close contacts of these persons. To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released. The CDC defines close contact as being within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 infection for 10 minutes or longer and without protection. Based on information provided by the individuals in close contact, county health officials will assess risks of exposure, determine which if any additional measures are needed such as temperature and symptom checks, quarantine and/or testing.

“The Haywood County Health Department will aggressively trace, test and contain anyone we identify who was exposed to this virus,” said Haywood County Health Director Patrick Johnson.

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, North Carolinians should take the same measures that health care providers recommend to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses, including:

• Practice social distancing. This is the Number One Enemy of COVID-19. To prevent community spread we need everyone to take social distancing seriously!
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water for 20 seconds
• Regularly sanitize frequently-touched surfaces
• Avoid touching your face
• Cover coughs and sneezes, preferably with your elbow to avoid transferring germs to your hands
• Stay home if you are sick
• Wear a mask especially when you will be in close contact with people

The first three cases of COVID-19 in Haywood County are categorized as recovered.