Nearly 9 percent of tests in county are coming back positive; 22 people now hospitalized in Iredell

FROM STAFF REPORTS

As the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaches, the Iredell County Health Department is urging residents to not let their guard down to the dangers of COVID-19.

There are reasons to remain vigilant:

♦ There are now 819 laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iredell County;

♦ Twenty-two people are currently hospitalized in Iredell, and 349 people are currently isolating at home;

♦ Since May 3, Iredell County has experienced a 118 percent increase in the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests. Just over a month ago health officials were seeing a 4 percent positive rate of COVID-19 tests; now that figure is at nearly 9 percent.

♦ There has been a 200 percent increase in total number of positive cases from 251 on May 30 to 746 on June 29. This is a clear indication of increased community spread.

Because many individuals have made plans to host and attend gatherings for Independence Day, health officials are offering the following considerations for enhancing the protection of individuals and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

A gathering refers to a planned or spontaneous event, indoors or outdoors, with a small number of people participating or a large number of people in attendance such as a community event or gathering, concert, festival, parade, wedding, or sporting event.

With the continuation of Phase 2, by the authority of Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 147, indoor gatherings of more than 10 people and outdoor gatherings in an enclosed environment of more than 25 people are prohibited.

The more people an individual interacts with at a gathering and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. Since Iredell County is currently experiencing a higher rate of community transmission of COVID-19, there is a higher risk of COVID-19 spreading during local gatherings at this time.

COVID-19 is believed to be mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. It is thought that the virus may also spread to hands from contaminated surfaces then to the nose, mouth or eyes, causing infection.

Therefore, personal prevention practices such as handwashing, wearing a cloth face covering, maintaining six feet of distance, staying home when you are sick, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting are important ways to prevent the virus’s spread.