Coronavirus/COVID-19
Statewide Stay at Home Order for North CarolinaEffective 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2020
Stay at Home Guidance for Businesses
Catawba County Case Information
| NEW CASES | TOTAL CASES | NEGATIVE RESULTS | DEATHS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 24 | 339 | 1 |
[UPDATED: 4/5/20 - 11:17AM]
Catawba County case numbers will be updated by 1:00PM daily.
Case numbers are based on test results. Not all cases of COVID-19 are tested, so this does not represent the total number of people who have or had COVID-19.
Case Investigations
- Public Health is actively investigating confirmed cases to identify close contacts who may be affected. Close contact is defined as being within approximately 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for 10 minutes or longer, according to the CDC.
- Public Health is assessing the risk of exposure to others and is advising them on appropriate protective measures on a case-by-case basis. Protective measures may include temperature and symptom checks, quarantine and/or testing.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
Catawba County Public Health is actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are working to ensure a coordinated community response. To provide you the most accurate and updated information about COVID-19, the following resources have been gathered for your reference.
Current Status in Catawba County
On April 3, the first death associated with COVID-19 in Catawba County was announced.
On March 31, NC Governor Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order directing utilities to give residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills and prohibiting them from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payment.
On March 27, NC Governor Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order announcing a Statewide Stay-at-Home order and lowering the limit for the number of people at public gatherings to 10, effective Monday, March 30th at 5:00pm.
On March 23, NC Governor Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order expanding the list of public places he was ordering closed and extending the closing of public schools through May 15.
On March 23, CDC extended its definition of individuals at high risk of coronavirus complications. Learn more.
On March 20, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Catawba County.
On March 18, Catawba County Board Chair Randy Isenhower declared a State of Emergency in Catawba County. The declaration covers the entire area of Catawba County and was made by and with the consent of all municipalities within Catawba County.
On March 17, NC Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order mandating that North Carolina restaurants and bars will be closed to sit-down service and limited to take-out or delivery orders starting at 5 pm tonight, March 17, 2020. Grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores, are exempt from this order and will remain open, though they may not serve sit-down food. Additionally, the order lifts some restrictions on unemployment benefits and adds benefit eligibility for those out of work because they have the virus or must care for someone who is sick. Learn more.
On March 10, Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency. The declaration activates the Emergency Operations Center to help agencies coordinate from one location and makes it easier to purchase needed medical supplies, protect consumers from price gouging, and increase county health departments’ access to state funds. In addition to Governor Cooper’s emergency declaration, the NC DHHS is making several recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the number of people infected. Learn more.
On March 3, North Carolina reported its first case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing timely updates on our state’s status. Learn more.
Questions? Get the Facts.
Frequently Asked Questions NC DHHS Website
Frequently Asked Questions Printable Handout
North Carolina COVID-19 Hotline: 1-866-462-3821
North Carolina COVID-19 Email: ncresponse@dhhs.nc.gov
North Carolina COVID-19 Online Chat:www.ncpoisoncontrol.org
NC 2-1-1: Governor Roy Cooper announced NC 2-1-1 by United Way of North Carolina as a resource for people to call for assistance related to the COVID-19 coronavirus. NC 2-1-1 is an information and referral service that families and individuals can call to obtain free and confidential information on health and human services resources within their community. NC 2-1-1 operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and resources are available in most languages. North Carolinians can text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive general information and updates about COVID-19. Sign up now to get regular alerts on the rapidly evolving situation and North Carolina’s response.
Urgent Childcare: If you are a parent who provides necessary services to, or cares for, members of our communities and your child care has fallen through or is unavailable because of COVID-19 closures, click HERE for information about urgent childcare.
Comprehensive COVID-19 Information and Situation Updates
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Includes national case counts and prevention guidance.
Coronavirus Disease Response in North Carolina (NCDHHS)
Includes North Carolina case counts, prevention guidance and statewide actions to combat coronavirus.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)-World Health Organization
Includes facts, maps, and global case count information.
Preventing COVID-19: Current Guidance
The steps to prevent coronavirus transmission are similar to the steps to prevent other respiratory illnesses, like the flu. The following are measures we can all take to protect ourselves and others from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Practice social distancing in public when possible by maintaining a 6 foot distance from others.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
- It is also good practice to start being more aware of the number of times a day your hands touch an object or hard surface and then touch your face without being washed. Limiting the exposure of your nose, mouth and eyes to unwashed hands can help to protect from the spread of all germs and illnesses.
- For pregnant women and children, review the information and guidance available on the CDC website.
High Risk Individuals
Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Based upon available information to date, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:
- People aged 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Other high-risk conditions could include:
- People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- People who have heart disease with complications
- People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
- People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [(BM]I)≥40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk
- People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness, however, to date data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.
Guidance for Specific Settings
NC DHHS provides guidance and resources for a range of stakeholders. Information is changing rapidly and is regularly updated as needed.
- Businesses and Employers [ncdhhs.gov]
- Child Care Centers [ncdhhs.gov]
- Colleges and Universities [ncdhhs.gov]
- Community and Faith-Based Organizations [ncdhhs.gov]
- Community Events and Mass Gatherings [ncdhhs.gov]
- Correctional Facilities [ncdhhs.gov]
- First Responders [ncdhhs.gov]
- Health Care Providers, Hospitals, and Laboratories [ncdhhs.gov]
- Homeless Shelters [ncdhhs.gov]
- K-12 Schools [ncdhhs.gov]
- Local Health Departments [ncdhhs.gov]
- Long-term Facilities [ncdhhs.gov]
- Malls and Shopping Centers
- Mass Transit [ncdhhs.gov]
- Migrant Farm Workers and their Employers [ncdhhs.gov]
- Public Facing Businesses and Agencies
- Restaurants and Bars
- Syringe Service Programs [ncdhhs.gov]
- Working with People with Disabilities [ncdhhs.gov]
What We’re Doing
Catawba County Public Health, in coordination with Catawba County Emergency Management, our municipalities and our community partners, is working to coordinate a countywide response to COVID-19. This includes encouraging all county residents and visitors to be our partners in prevention and follow all current prevention orders and guidelines.
Additionally, we continue to communicate with organizations representing various sectors in our community to provide current information about COVID-19 and help ensure they are prepared to respond. These meetings have included healthcare providers, municipalities, schools, law enforcement, first responders, nonprofit organizations, childcare centers, congregate care centers and the faith community.
Public Health is in frequent communication with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services regarding response measures. We will continue to provide updated information and guidance as it becomes available.
For additional community education, click HERE.