As the number of cases of COVID-19 rise in North Carolina and the United States, and with the designation of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the state is responding with a whole government response. COVID-19 is a new infection that is particularly severe in older persons and those with medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and weakened immune systems.
At this time there are no approved treatments and no vaccine to prevent it. However, there are known methods to reduce and slow the spread of infection. Individuals can practice everyday prevention measures like frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, and covering coughs and sneezes. Community-based interventions can also help slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes measures collectively known as “social distancing.” Social distancing measures aim to reduce the frequency of contact and increase physical distance between persons, thereby reducing the risks of person-to-person transmission. These measures are most effective when implemented early in an epidemic. We are at a critical inflection point where we may have the opportunity to slow the spread of this epidemic by taking proactive steps now.
NC DHHS is making the following recommendations to reduce the spread of infection while we are still in an early stage in order to protect lives and avoid strain on our health care system. NC DHHS is making these recommendations for the next 30 days and will re-assess at that point.
The following recommendations pertain to persons statewide.
1. SYMPTOMATIC PERSONS
If you need medical care and have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or
suspect you might have COVID-19, call ahead and tell your health care
provider you have or may have COVID-19. This will allow them to take
steps to keep other people from getting exposed. NC DHHS recommends that
persons experiencing fever and cough should stay at home and not go out
until their symptoms have completely resolved.
2. HIGH RISK PERSONS WITHOUT SYMPTOMS
NC DHHS recommends that people at high risk of severe illness from
COVID-19 should stay at home to the extent possible to decrease the
chance of infection.
People at high risk include people:
- Over 65 years of age, or
- with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, or
- with weakened immune systems.
3. CONGREGATE LIVING FACILITIES
NC DHHS recommends that all facilities that serve as residential
establishments for high risk persons described above should restrict
visitors. Exceptions should include end of life care or other emergent
situations determined by the facility to necessitate a visit. If
visitation is allowed, the visitor should be screened and restricted if
they have a respiratory illness or potential exposure to COVID-19.
Facilities are encouraged to implement social distancing measures and
perform temperature and respiratory symptom screening of residents and
staff. These establishments include settings such as nursing homes,
independent and assisted living facilities, correction facilities, and
facilities that care for medically vulnerable children.
4. SCHOOLS
We do not recommend pre-emptive school closure at this time but do
recommend that schools and childcare centers cancel or reduce large
events and gatherings (e.g., assemblies) and field trips, limit
inter-school interactions, and consider distance or e-learning in some
settings. Students at high risk should implement individual plans for
distance or e-learning. School dismissals may be necessary when staff or
student absenteeism impacts the ability to remain open. Short-term
closures may also be necessary to facilitate public health investigation
and/or cleaning if a case is diagnosed in a student or staff member.
5. WORKPLACE
NC DHHS recommends that employers and employees use teleworking
technologies to the greatest extent possible, stagger work schedules,
and consider canceling non-essential travel. Workplaces should hold
larger meetings virtually, to the extent possible. Additionally,
employers should arrange the workspace to optimize distance between
employees, ideally at least six feet apart. Employers should urge high
risk employees to stay home and urge employees to stay home when they
are sick and maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits.
6. MASS GATHERINGS, COMMUNITY, AND SOCIAL EVENTS
NC DHHS recommends that organizers of events that draw more than 100
people should cancel, postpone, modify these events or offer online
streaming services. These events include large gatherings where people
are in close contact (less than 6 feet), for example concerts,
conferences, sporting events, faith-based events and other large
gatherings.
7. MASS TRANSIT
Mass transit operators should maximize opportunities for cleaning and
disinfection of frequently touched surfaces. People should avoid using
use mass transit (e.g. buses, trains) while sick.
