A New York City Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19, Isolating in Cherokee County A New York resident that tested positive for COVID – 19 is being monitored and following isolation orders in Cherokee County. The patient is doing well and is in isolation. The patient is a resident of New York State and traveled to Cherokee County, where they became ill and were tested and placed on isolation. Since cases are reported under the state of residency, this case will be identified as a New York State case, not a North Carolina case. Therefore, this case will not show up on the North Carolina maps as a Cherokee County case.
The Cherokee County Health Department is working diligently to identify close contacts. The CDC defines close contact as being within approximately 6 feet of a person with an infection with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time of 10 minutes or longer. Based on information provided by the individual, county health officials will continue to assess risks of exposure, determine which if any additional measures are needed such as temperature and symptom checks, quarantine and/or testing for those impacted. Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, Cherokee County residents should take the same measures that health care providers recommend to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses, including washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, staying home if you are sick and covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow. It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.
Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.
Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call the Health Department at 828-837-7486.