Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has Swain County, North Carolina, listed as medium risk for current spread of Covid-19, but spread is high in more than 60 counties in the state.
On Friday, Swain County Health Department issued a press release encouraging the community to take precautions against spread. Suggestions include testing for the virus if you have symptoms and to wear a mask if you have symptoms, test positive or are exposed to someone who tests positive for Covid-19.
“If you test positive, be sure to isolate, tell the people you have been in contact with, and call your Primary Care Provider if you are experiencing symptoms for early treatment,” the press release states.
There were no new Covid-19 deaths this past week (Aug. 3-Aug. 11) for the county, and there were a total of 77 positive cases reported by the CDC on the county level data tracker (covid.cdc.gov), with an average of 8-12 cases a day. The county’s positive testing rate was 34.2% with 129 tests reported.
The health department has free at-home test kits available. The department also offers Covid-19 vaccines on Tuesdays for the following vaccines: Moderna, Pfizer and Novax for ages 5 and above.
The county’s press released followed an announcement the previous day by the CDC relaxing some of the guidance. Although spread is high, the CDC said there are more tools available decreasing the public’s risk.
“We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools—like vaccination, boosters, and treatments—to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe illness from COVID-19,” said Greta Massetti, PhD, MPH, MMWR author. “We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation. This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives.”
The CDC stresses the importance of staying up to date on vaccination to prevent illness.
Those who are symptomatic and test positive are recommended to stay home for at least 5 days and isolate and then wear a mask in the 5 days following when they return to work and other activities.
Those exposed to a positive test are advised to wear a mask and test on day 5 after exposure.
In addition, as students are returning to school, the CDC does not recommend screening testing of asymptomatic people without know exposure to the virus.
Positive test results can be reported by dialing Covid-19COT (844-628-7223).