Note: We want to share important information with you as efficiently as possible. Going forward, we will combine all COVID-19-related updates into one news release each day. This news release will be emailed to you around 5 p.m. We will send additional news releases in some circumstances.
Wake County is investigating three new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive test results in Wake County to 25.
One of the latest cases attended The Millennium Tour 2020 at PNC Arena on Friday, March 13. Because the person was symptomatic during the concert, the Wake County Public Health Division has set up a special information phone line for people who attended the show or worked at PNC Arena that night and have developed fever (a temperature of 100.4 or higher), cough or shortness of breath. Affected Wake County residents can call 919-857-9375.
Public health officials are also using contact tracing to determine other locations of risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines “close contact” as being within six feet of the patient for 10 minutes or more.
“As we continue to learn about new positive cases in our community, it is imperative that social distancing recommendations be taken seriously,” said Wake County Medical Director Dr. Kim McDonald. “The short-term actions we take now, while they may be inconvenient, will help us slow the virus’ spread and reduce the burden on our healthcare system.”
Testing by the Numbers
Providing an accurate number of tests taken at any given time is challenging, because samples are processed by multiple laboratories, including the State Laboratory of Public Health and LabCorp. Other locations may come online in the future.
The county doesn’t have access to the number of tests LabCorp is processing each day, but does track samples submitted to the State Lab. However, in both cases, positive results are reported to the local Public Health Division.
As of March 19 at 5 p.m., Wake County has 25 known positive cases of COVID-19. There are 77 people under investigation who were exposed to the virus and have developed symptoms. Of those, 56 people are waiting for test results; 21 are in the process of being tested.
Through contact tracing, Wake County has identified another 253 people who are being monitored, because they may have been exposed to the virus through close contact. The county will monitor them for two weeks to see if they develop symptoms. If they do, the county will test them for COVID-19 and recategorize them as “people under investigation.”
Media should contact LabCorp for similar numbers from private sector tests.
Protecting Yourself
Although your risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low, the county’s public health team encourages you to protect yourself from COVID-19 and any other flu-like illness by following these simple steps:
- Stay away from sick people and practice social distancing measures.
- Wash your hands.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
- Stay home if you’re sick and don’t send sick children to school or childcare.
Staying Updated
Wake County has made it easy for you to stay updated on the latest information about COVID-19.
You can visit our COVID-19 webpage, which has a set of frequently asked questions to educate residents in English and in Spanish, a list of COVID-19-related closures and service changes, as well as an email address and phone number that people can use to ask personal health-related questions about COVID-19. The county is also sharing important information on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
