CLAY COUNTY, N.C. – As COVID-19 cases continue to grow, Clay County Health Department (CCHD) releases daily updates on its coronavirus-related numbers.

The following information is from the September 23rd update.

Confirmed cases in Clay remain low when compared to many surrounding counties with only 140 total positives according to the health department.

CCHD also releases recovery numbers and so far, 126 cases are no longer testing positive for COVID-19. Currently, there is 14 active case currently known in the county.

1,602 Clay residents have been tested and 1,519 were negative.

CCHD issues a disclaimer as well that the numbers won’t add up to the number tested because of pending results and confirmations.

Statewide the NCDHHS has confirmed 196,501 cases in 99 N.C. counties. 912 are currently hospitalized, and 3,345 have died.

If you become sick with a respiratory type illness and are in one of the following categories, please contact the CCHD at 828-389-8052 to speak to a provider to determine if you need to be tested.

Those suspected of having COVID-19 should isolate in an effort to stop the spread of this virus. Persons should remain isolated when sick until the following criteria are met:

• At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
  At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

If household or close contacts become sick during the 14 day monitoring period, it is advised that they then isolate until the criteria for discontinuation of isolation (listed above) are met.