A second Moore County resident has tested positive for COVID-19, said The Moore County Health Department in a news release.
The department was notified of the positive test result on Thursday, March 19 by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Initial indications are that Thursday’s confirmed positive case is unrelated to the previous positive case from March 18.
To protect privacy, no further information about this individual will be shared by the Health Department.
Moore County Health Department staff are monitoring the individual who tested positive and will follow up with anyone who is identified as a close contact. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines “close contact” as being within six feet for 10 minutes or more.
The Moore County Health Department continues to urge all residents to take measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Health officials also encourage everyone to implement social distancing measures to reduce frequency of contact, like maintaining six feet of distance and avoiding large crowds.
This is important for everyone and especially those at high risk of severe illness, specifically anyone over 65 years old or anyone who has an underlying health condition like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
Further, individuals in this high-risk category should stay home to the greatest extent possible in order to avoid exposure.
For more information about coronavirus and Moore County’s response, please visit www.moorecountync.gov/health.
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