Hyde County Health Department today (April 29) announced the first official laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19 in Hyde County.
Hyde County Health Director Luana Gibbs Gibbs said in a press release that he health department has consistently followed NC Department of Health and Human Services protocols and the case has been properly vetted.
The individual is in isolation. The release does not say if the case is on Ocracoke or the mainland but said no further information will be released to protect the privacy of the individual.
Communicable disease staff have conducted contact tracing, identified individuals who may have had close contact with the individual, and implemented quarantine recommendations and orders, the release said. Close contact is anyone who has been within six feet of the individual for more than 10 minutes.
On April 25, Hyde County reported a confirmed COVID-19 case, but rescinded it the following day saying that the laboratory-confirmed case was one of 122 tests Vidant Health inaccurately reported to N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
On March 21, Hyde announced its first case, but noted that the identified case was isolating in another county, where the individual resides. The individual has more than one address and provided a Hyde County address when tested, causing Hyde to be the county of ownership.
As this pandemic continues, the health department advises all to do the following:
- STAY HOME, unless you are conducting essential business, such as buying groceries or visiting your pharmacy.
- When you must conduct essential business, practice social distancing, which is staying at least six feet away from others, AND wear facial covering.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue that you promptly throw in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces several times a day.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
