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:
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.
CLAY COUNTY, N.C. PRESS RELEASE – At 5:30 p.m. on April 16, 2020, the Clay County Health Department was made aware that a staff member of the Clay County Care Center had fallen ill and had presented to the Emergency Room at Erlanger Western Carolina with clinical symptoms consistent with COVID-19. A rapid COVID-19 test was given to the patient and that test was negative, however, the attending physician, as well as other consulting physicians, agreed that they were moving forward with this as a presumptive positive and sent off for a confirmatory COVID-19 test.
Following the most current guidance for presumptive positives as defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, all presumptive positives are handled as if they are true positives until a confirmatory test comes back as negative.
Due to the nature of this facility being a skilled nursing facility with multiple live-in residents; the Care Center’s Medical Director, Executive Director, and the Clay County Health Department Staff decided to err on the side of caution and be proactive in assuring we are doing what is best for the health of the community and doing preemptive COVID-19 testing for all staff and residents. Testing began within 5 hours of the initial notification from the hospital to the Health Department and extensive coordination happened in a tight time frame from all parties involved to assure all state guidance and recommendations are followed.
The Clay County Care Center has notified all employees and 98% of families where most appropriate – leaving messages for the rest. All contacted have been most appreciative of these efforts, and testing will be completed by the afternoon of April 17.
Scott Alexander, Executive Director for the Care Center, wants to stress that any families that might have any further questions can reach out at any time.
The Clay County Health Department is working diligently on this matter, and more information will be forthcoming.
For information about an asymptomatic patient who worked at The Local Market, click here.
CLAY COUNTY, NC – An asymptomatic Towns County, GA resident that was working from March 28, 2020 – April 10, 2020 at The Local Market, otherwise known as “Aztec” or the “Bypass Store” in Clay County has tested positive for COVID-19 at an area hospital.
This individual is in isolation in Towns County and is doing well. All known contacts have been notified, and testing has either been completed or will occur tomorrow morning. All that have been tested have been given official isolation orders, and those that are being tested have been instructed to self-quarantine. No contacts have reported any symptoms. It is advised that if you went into this establishment during the dates above and had contact with anyone less than 6 feet from you for 10 minutes or longer, you quarantine yourself and monitor for symptoms of illness for 14 days from the date of potential exposure.
If you become sick during this time, you should isolate yourself and your household in an effort to stop the spread of this virus. Persons should remain isolated when sick until the following criteria are met:
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.
If you become sick with a respiratory type illness and are in one of the following categories, please contact the Clay County Health Department at 828-389-8052 to speak to a provider to determine if you need to be tested:
For more information about Georgia cases visit DPH website.
Information about that previous Clay County case confirmed here.
For daily updates on N.C. and Ga cases, check out Fetch Your News’ daily update page.
CLAY COUNTY, N.C. – The Clay County Health Department received its fourth positive COVID-19 test result for a county resident early this evening. The individual is in isolation at a local hospital. All contacts have been notified, have no symptoms, and have been compliant with the stay-at-home orders since late last month. CCHD will perform in-home testing for the contacts and index case prior to society reintegration. Due to contact tracing, we believe this positive is a result of community spread, because the index case had no contact with a known positive. To protect individual privacy, no further information about this case will be released by the Clay County Health Department.
We have also received back four negative test results today, and have been diligent in continuing education and outreach on preventive measures, disinfection protocols and have kept contact with all current quarantine and isolated cases for our county.
The Clay County Health Department regularly updates our county call-in-line 828-389-8052 ext. 110 with information regarding COVID-19 as well, we encourage the public to call or see our Facebook page for up-to-date information. There is an additional local call line for the community at 828-835-4258 that is staffed from 9am-12 and 1pm-4pm. To receive messaging from the State text COVIDNC to 898211.
For more information about previous cases, click here.
CLAY COUNTY, N.C. – Clay County Health Department has reported two additional COVID-19 cases within 24 hours of each other.
The second individual was an attendee at the Folk School Dance on March 10th, and as a result of being present at that event where multiple other positive’s have been confirmed, specialized testing was performed in coordination with regional partnerships on March 24th for those attendees. This individual began quarantine since the day of the initial positive report on an attendee on March 18th and began isolation at the time of testing. The Clay County Health Department is following State guidance on the continuation of their isolation period for extra precaution. All potential contacts of this individual have been notified. This individual has maintained contact with their physician and health department staff, and is doing well. To protect individual privacy, no further information about this case will be released.
The third positive COVID-19 case has been determined for Clay County. This individual is doing well in recovery after experiencing only mild symptoms and has been in isolation since testing on March 24th. It has been determined through contact tracing that they are linked to the index case that attended an event at the Folk School. To protect individual privacy, no further information about this case will be released by the Clay County Health Department.
The Clay County Health Department has been utilizing various laboratories for our residents testing kits based on the criteria that is set forth by the State or by our Medical Director and providers. These laboratories all have been running off of different timelines for results, which we understand can cause anxiety. It is important to remember that regardless of what laboratory we use, everyone that is tested is issued isolation orders until we receive those tests back. When the results are received, we are able to give guidance on if the isolation time period needs to be extended – or if they are released from those orders to resume normal activities. Be mindful, that we are still receiving exponentially more negative test results back than positives, and those positive cases have been mild for our residents. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends impacted by the passing of our Cherokee County neighbor as a result of complications associated with COVID-19.
The Clay County Health Department regularly updates our county call-in-line 828-389-8052 ext. 110 with information regarding COVID-19 as well, we encourage the public to call or see our Facebook page for up-to-date information. There is an additional local call line for the community at 828-835-4258 that is staffed from 9am-12 and 1pm-4pm. To receive messaging from the State text COVIDNC to 898211
CLAY COUNTY, N.C. PRESS RELEASE – The Clay County Health Department was notified early this morning that a Clay County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual has been in isolation, and the health department will continue to monitor them throughout the rest of their isolation time. The Clay County Health Department will continue necessary contact tracing on this patient in identifying other close contacts. To protect individual privacy, no further information about this case will be released.
Clay County has been vigilant in prevention efforts but has been preparing for the reality that we could reach this point eventually. The identification of this positive status does not detour us from our efforts, and we will continue to adapt to the guidelines as set forth by the State of North Carolina and the Federal Government as information becomes available. Our staff has planned, trained, and is fully prepared to take on any challenges that may come our way, but our resolve stands firm that we will work together for our citizens.
It is advised that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness should isolate until the following criteria are met:
Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals 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 the Clay 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.
The Clay County Health Department regularly updates our county call-in-line 828-389-8052 ext. 110 with information regarding COVID-19 as well, we encourage the public to call or see our Facebook page for up-to-date information. There is an additional local call line for the community at 828-835-4258 that is staffed from 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm.
CLAY COUNTY, N.C. – Cherokee County Health Department in conjunction with Clay County Health Department, Graham Country Health Department and Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital has opened a COVID-19 Community Information line.
Beginning Thursday, community members can call 828-835-4258 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to speak with a representative. There is no cost and no insurance needed. This public service provides convenient access to local health care providers who will answer their questions. This is NOT a COVID-19 test screening line.
“Cherokee County Government and our community partners have a responsibility to protect the public health and assist the community in managing emergency events,” said David Badger, Health Director, Cherokee County Health Department. “We can best meet this objective by continuing to work together to help lessen the potential spread of COVID-19 by following the previously listed guidance.”
Original article from March 11 below:
The Clay County Health Department (CCHD) has created a phone number for the community to call and stay updated on the COVID-19.
The line will be updated every day “or so” according to the CCHD with any status changes within the community. The number to call is (828) 389-8052 ext. 110.
In a statement released on Facebook, CCHD stated:
“The Clay County Health Department would like for our community to know that we are persistently keeping up to date on evolving information about COVID-19. We have established a local line that we will be updating every day or so with any status changes. The line can be reached at (828) 389-8052 ext. 110. We also recommend reliable sites such as the CDC and NCDHHS for up to date and accurate information.”
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure. The average incubation period is five days.
CORVID-19
80 percent of patients with a confirmed case of COVID-19 have mild symptoms. In severe cases, patients have developed pneumonia in both lungs, and in others, patients have died. The current death toll in the United States is 29 out of a total of 938 cases. Also, 38 states and the District of Columbia have reported coronavirus cases.
According to the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health, the best way to prevent the virus is to wash your hands, regularly and for 20 seconds. If you can’t use soap, then use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer. To make sure that you’re washing your hands long enough, sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
Also, you should avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth, or nose; cover your sneeze or cough with a tissue and then throw it away, stay home if you’re sick; and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Finally, get a flu shot. It wouldn’t prevent COVID-19, but it will lessen flu symptoms which will make the jobs of health facilities easier.