As Governor Cooper confirmed 40 cases COVID-19 in North Carolina and continued to urge citizens to take actions to reduce the spread of the virus, there have been no confirmed positive test reports of COVID-19 in Moore County, according to a statement by Health Director Robert Wittmann made to the Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Also on Tuesday, the Moore County Department of Public Safety issued a statement saying in part “Moore County Government continues to monitor the progress of COVID-19 in North Carolina and is continuing to adjust preparedness and response plans to meet the evolving needs of the community.”
Following a nation-wide tread, Moore County has closed libraries and all parks and recreation facilities through Friday, April 3, 2020, and is urging citizens to conduct business with the county electronically when possible.
In another measure intended to keep citizens safe, Moore County Sheriff’s Office has taken steps at the Moore County Detention Center they hope will keep officers, staff and inmates safe from the virus. All inmates are subject to increased screening when they enter the facility, unnecessary inmate transfers have been halted and visitations have been canceled.
Captain Bill Flint of the Sheriff’s Office told the Board of Commissioners that officers working at the detention center are now screened for symptoms of the virus before each shift and surfaces at the jail continue to be cleaned and disinfected.
“This response is a concerted effort. The safety and security of the staff, the inmates and the citizens of the county is a great responsibility,” he said. “Everyone has come together to develop this response plan. Please thank the officers and remember that we are the ones that will make this happen.”
The Moore County Board of Commissioners’ next regular meeting is scheduled for April 7.
~Articel and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter John Patota.
