Alexander County declares State of Emergency for COVID-19 (coronavirus)

**This page will be updated as changes occur, so check back often.**

Here is a list of health, business, and news resources regarding COVID-19 coronavirus:

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

Johns Hopkins University of Medicine – interactive map and statistics of COVID-19 cases worldwide, in the United States, in North Carolina, and all 100 counties.

NC Department of Commerce – information on unemployment insurance, financial assistance for small businesses, and much more.

• UPDATE 4/1, 5:00 pm: Alexander County still has only two (2) confirmed cases of COVID-19. These two households, in addition to the others who have been tested, remain isolated at home to contain the spread of the virus. Alexander County and the rest of North Carolina remain under Governor Cooper’s “Stay at Home” Executive Order through April 29th, so citizens are encouraged to stay at home and avoid interaction with others as much as possible. Mass gatherings are limited to 10 people or less. Non-essential businesses have been ordered to temporarily close. Most local restaurants are still offering takeout, curbside pickup, and/or delivery. Alexander County Government offices are only staffed with essential personnel and most county facilities are closed to the public, with access to departments by phone or email. These mandates and decisions are in place to help prioritize social distancing measures and contain the spread of the coronavirus.

• UPDATE 3/31, 3:00 pm: Alexander County has a total of two (2) confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus. According to the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), North Carolina has 1,498 confirmed cases, eight (8) deaths, and 157 hospitalized, with a total of 23,106 tested. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States has 163,539 confirmed cases with 2,860 deaths.

• UPDATE 3/30, 5:00 pm: Alexander County still has only one (1) confirmed case of COVID-19 (coronavirus). A total of 51 people have been tested, with one (1) positive, 34 negative, and 16 pending.

• UPDATE: 3/28, 3:45 pm: A person in Alexander County has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus) on Saturday, March 28, which marks the first confirmed case of the virus in Alexander County. Leeanne Whisnant, Director of Alexander County Consolidated Human Services, said the patient is at home and recovering well.

• UPDATE 3/25, 12:00 pm: The Alexander County Health Department reports that as of Wednesday, March 25 at 12:00 noon, Alexander County continues to have zero (0) confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus). A total of 40 people have been tested for the virus, with 17 tests being negative. There are currently 23 pending tests, with those households under quarantine.

• UPDATE 3/24, 10:00 am: As of March 24 at 10:00 a.m., Alexander County continues to have zero (0) confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus). A total of 39 people have been tested for the virus, with 15 tests being negative. There are currently 24 pending tests, with those households under quarantine.

Tests are being administered at the Alexander County Health Department and local doctor’s offices, with Urgent Care of Mountain View in Taylorsville now testing as well.

NC Governor Cooper and state officials held a press conference on March 23 regarding the signing of an executive order adding measures to help prevent the spread of the virus. At the press conference, it was announced that North Carolina Public Schools closures are extended until at least May 15. In addition, mass gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited. Effective Wednesday, March 25 at 5:00 p.m., the following businesses will close: bingo parlors, bowling alleys, ice skating rinks, indoor exercise facilities (gyms, yoga studios, and martial arts facilities), health clubs, indoor pools, live performance venues, movie theaters, roller skating rinks, spas, sweepstakes lounges, video game arcades, barber shops, beauty salons, hair salons, manicure/pedicure providers, massage parlors, nail salons, and tattoo parlors. Long-term care facilities shall restrict visitation of all visitors and non-essential health care personnel.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 46,168 cases of COVID-19 in the country with 582 deaths. About half of the cases nationwide are in New York State. In North Carolina, there are 398 cases with zero (0) deaths. There are zero (0) confirmed cases in Alexander County; however, there are cases in neighboring counties including Iredell, Catawba, Lincoln, and Gaston. Roughly half of North Carolina’s counties have reported at least one confirmed case, with Mecklenburg County having 104 cases to date.

So far, approximately 80 percent of patients experience a mild form of the illness. Many of these cases require little to no medical intervention. Symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

The public is encouraged to stay at home if possible, practice good hygiene and handwashing, and maintain social distancing.

How to protect yourself and others
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises citizens to: avoid close contact with people who are sick; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; stay home if you are sick; cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue; and clean/disinfect frequently touched surfaces or objects (tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.). The agency also advises citizens to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. In addition, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and put a six-foot distance between yourself and other people (i.e. social distancing). Learn more at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html.

What to do if you are sick
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it, you should stay home as most people who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Wear a facemask when you are around other people. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas. Stay in touch with your doctor but call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency. If you in a high-risk category (age 65+, underlying health issues, or immunocompromised), you should get tested for COVID-19 by making arrangements with the local health department, doctor’s office, or hospital. Learn more at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html.

What is COVID-19 and Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illness in animals and humans. Human coronaviruses commonly circulate in the United States and usually cause mild illnesses like the common cold. COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease that was identified in Wuhan, China, and is now spreading throughout the world.

To learn more about COVID-19 (coronavirus) in North Carolina, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc.

Read the original press release below, which also contains additional local updates.

ALEXANDER COUNTY, NC (March 17, 2020) – In a proactive move, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners declared a State of Emergency for COVID-19 (coronavirus). Commissioners held an emergency meeting with county staff on Tuesday, March 17 to discuss the virus and ways to contain the spread of the illness locally.

Commissioners heard reports from Emergency Services, Health Department, Social Services, and Administration, as well as information from a conference call with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners which provided updates from various state agencies.

“Alexander County currently has zero confirmed cases of COVID-19, but we felt it would be a wise decision to be proactive and let our citizens know that we believe this could become a very serious health issue. The declaration also positions the county for potential state and federal funds if conditions worsen,” said Ryan Mayberry, Chairman of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners. “With this declaration, we are getting ahead of the game, and will hopefully increase awareness of this virus and save lives. Please take this seriously. The magnitude of this virus and its effect on our county, state, nation, and world is not yet known, but together we will get through this potential crisis and emerge even stronger.”

Leeanne Whisnant, Director of Alexander County Consolidated Human Services, informed the board that while there are no confirmed cases yet, there are five (5) households under quarantine after being tested for the virus. Test results are still pending as the tests require 12-72 hours in a lab. If positive, the test will then be sent to a CDC lab, which requires an additional 12-72 hours for results.

UPDATE 3/23, 4:30 pm: Alexander County continues to have zero (0) confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus). A total of 28 people have been tested for the virus, with 11 tests being negative. There are currently 17 pending tests, with those households under quarantine.

UPDATE 3/18, 10:53 am: Test results are negative for four of the five households under quarantine. The health department is still awaiting results for one household, which is the only one that remains under quarantine.

“The health, safety, and welfare of our citizens is paramount as we all work together to contain this pandemic,” Whisnant related. “We encourage our citizens to practice good hygiene and use common sense to help us contain this virus. The more we can all stay at home and have less interaction with others, the better off we will be and the less this highly-contagious virus will spread in Alexander County and beyond. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.”

Following the emergency meeting, Alexander County Government has implemented a mitigation strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), including the closing of certain facilities, reduced staffing, canceling meetings and events, and other measures.

Effective Wednesday, March 18, the following changes will occur at these Alexander County facilities to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus:

• UPDATE 3/23, 4:45 pm: Due to health and safety concerns, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles License Plate Agency, located at 85 East Main Avenue in downtown Taylorsville, will close at the end of the business day (5:00 p.m.) on Wednesday, March 25. The tentative plan is to re-open on Monday, April 6, at 9:00 a.m. Online services are available at www.MyNCDMV.gov.

• UPDATE 3/23, 4:30 pm: Alexander County Emergency Services is taking an additional measure to protect as many first responders as possible. To help, 911 Communications will only dispatch medical first response agencies to cardiac arrests, motor vehicle collisions, and at the request of an EMS Unit already on the scene of a call. This change will be reevaluated on April 3 or sooner should conditions dictate. EMS will continue responding to all 911 medical calls.

• UPDATE 3/19, 11:49 am: Convenience (trash and recycling) sites and the landfill are open to the public.

• UPDATE 3/18, 11:07 am: To help contain the spread of the virus, all county offices will be closed to the public excluding the Health Department, Department of Social Services, Sheriff’s Office, Landfill, License Plate Agency, and Courthouse. Some of these facilities will have limited access. Citizens are urged to call or email the department with which they need to conduct business. A list of departmental phone numbers and email addresses is available here.

• UPDATE 3/18, 12:23 pm: The public input meeting for the proposed Courthouse Park, which was scheduled for March 23, has been canceled.

• All Alexander County parks, including Rocky Face Park, will be closed to the public.

• The Alexander County Senior Center will be closed to the public.

• Alexander County DSS Congregate Meal sites will be closed; however, meals will still be delivered.

• The Alexander County Library will be closed for customers; however, all three branches will be staffed to provide curbside book/movie delivery and utilization of the book drop at the back door. Due dates have been extended through April 1.

• The Alexander County Services Center will be closed to the public; however, tax payments can be made using the drive-thru and other departments can be contacted by phone for assistance.

• UPDATE 3/18 9:40 am: Alexander County Register of Deeds office is by appointment only. For property document recording, vital records, marriage licenses, notary oaths, etc., please call ROD office at (828) 632-3152.

• The Alexander County License Plate Agency will be limited to 10 clients at a time, per NCDOT restrictions.

• The Alexander County Cooperative Extension Center will have two people in the office each day on a rotating schedule, per guidance from the state. The center will continue farm and one-on-one visits while maintaining the recommended six-foot social distance at all times.

• No work-related out-of-county travel will be allowed for Alexander County employees, with the exception of law enforcement and EMS.

• UPDATE 3/18, 2:26 pm: Signage has been placed on doors at county facilities to inform the public that the buildings are closed to the public to contain the spread of the virus. Phone numbers will be listed on the signs, so please contact the department you need by phone to arrange an appointment. Signage is also placed on doors at county facilities to discourage those who are sick from entering.

• No visitors are allowed at Alexander County EMS Bases.

• All North Carolina superior and district court proceedings will be postponed for at least 30 days, with some exceptions, effective March 16.

• UPDATE 3/18, 11:48 am: These changes are effective until April 1, at which time county officials will reevaluate the situation.

• UPDATE 3/18, 2:42 pm: The Alexander County Animal Shelter will open by appointment for rabies vaccines and pet adoptions; however, will not be accepting animals at this time. Animal Control Officers will continue to respond to public safety and animal welfare but less urgent calls will be deferred at this time. To schedule an appointment or for questions, please call 828-632-1199.

Alexander County staff is working to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for health, EMS, emergency management, law enforcement, and other employees who could potentially have contact with citizens who have contracted the virus.

On a state level, NC Governor Roy Cooper announced an executive order in response to COVID-19 that closes restaurants and bars for dine-in customers but allows them to continue takeout and delivery orders, effective at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17.

On March 10, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance advising against gatherings of 50 or more people. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency on March 10 to provide access to state funding. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on March 13, which provides access to $50 billion for US states and territories. Since that time, the President has recommended avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people.

In North Carolina, 40 cases of COVID-19 have been reported with no deaths. In the United States, confirmed cases total 5,700 with 96 deaths; however, there has been a testing shortage coupled with the delay between testing and obtaining results, so officials believe the true figure could be higher. Worldwide, the virus has infected more than 195,000 people with approximately 7,800 deaths.

What is COVID-19 and Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illness in animals and humans. Human coronaviruses commonly circulate in the United States and usually cause mild illnesses like the common cold. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease that was identified in Wuhan, China, and is now spreading throughout the world.

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