The individuals are residents of Haywood County. One had recent out-of-state travel history; the other two had none. Haywood County Public Health nurses are identifying close contacts of these individuals. 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 15 minutes or longer and without protection. Based on the 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 trace, test, and contain anyone we identify who was exposed to this virus,” said Haywood County Health Director Patrick Johnson. “We want to be clear about a key factor regarding testing. It is very important that anyone tested for COVID-19 needs to stay home and self-quarantine until test results are received, and then follow instructions according to the test results.” 

The first 12 cases of COVID-19 in Haywood County are categorized as recovered. The other 10 remain in isolation.

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, NCDHHS at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, and Haywood County at https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/684/Coronavirus-Covid-19-Information.  

Residents are encouraged to call 828-356-2019 for questions or concerns related to COVID-19.