3/3/2020 - North Carolina has reported its first case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. State health officials say the test, conducted by North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lab.
The North Carolina person from Wake County traveled to the state of Washington and was exposed at a long-term care facility where there is currently a COVID-19 outbreak. The unidentified person is doing well and is in isolation at home.
At a news conference in Raleigh today, Governor Cooper says officials are working to identify who else may have been exposed to help contain the spreading.
"We've been preparing for this and we do expect to see more cases in North Carolina. We are working closely with local health departments, healthcare providers and others to quickly identify and respond to new cases."
The Governor also announced the launch of a new hotline to answer Coronavirus questions and concerns.
The COVID-19 Helpline: toll free at 1-866-462-3821. To submit questions online, go towww.ncpoisoncontrol.organd select “chat.”
Press Release from the Governor's Office:
“I know that people are worried about this virus, and I want to assure North Carolinians our state is prepared,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Our task force and state agencies are working closely with local health departments, health care providers and others to quickly identify and respond to cases that might occur.”
The North Carolina person from Wake County traveled to the State of Washington and was exposed at a long-term care facility where there is currently a COVID-19 outbreak. Local health department officials are identifying close contacts to monitor symptoms and contain spread. To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released.
While awaiting confirmation of results from the CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will treat presumptive cases as positive and follow CDC guidelines to protect public health and limit the spread of infection.
Today’s announcement represents an isolated case, and COVID-19 is currently not widespread in North Carolina. Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, North Carolinians should take the same measures that healthcare providers recommend annually to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses, including washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, and covering coughs and sneezes.
Last month, Governor Cooper established the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force to support the state’s ongoing effort to monitor, prepare for and respond to COVID-19.
The NC State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) within the NC Department of Health and Human Services is now able to perform testing for the virus. This new capability allows North Carolina to more quickly take public health steps to respond to any positive test result.
Testing at NCSLPH will continue to be coordinated through the Division of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Branch on specimens from individuals who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s criteria for a person under investigation for COVID-19. North Carolina is using the CDC developed test kit that was granted under an Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.
Per FDA requirements, test results from NCSLPH and other state labs require confirmation from the CDC. However, a presumptive positive from NCSLPH will initiate an immediate public health response from NCDHHS, NC Emergency Management and the appropriate local health department and hospital while CDC confirmation is pending.
Commercial and private labs may quickly follow in their ability to perform testing for COVID-19, according to the CDC. Because COVID-19 is a reportable disease in North Carolina, all health care providers and labs are required to inform NCDHHS of testing for the virus so the appropriate public health response can be coordinated for a positive test.
The CDC has indicated that Americans should be anticipating and preparing for the possibility of widespread COVID-19 in the United States. Since late January, NCDHHS and NC Emergency Management have been operating a team to coordinate efforts around the state’s response. In early February, Governor Cooper formalized this effort with the creation of the COVID-19 Task Force.
NCDHHS and NCEM are working closely with local health departments, health care providers and others to quickly identify and respond to any potential isolated cases that might occur in the state and prepare North Carolinians to be ready in the event of more widespread, national COVID-19 transmission. The task force is developing response plans that address a range of possible scenarios. NCDHHS continues to host regular calls with local health providers and partners, develop and disseminate information and guidance and respond to questions from providers and communities.
For general and up-to-date information, visit:
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response in North Carolina
- Governor’s Task Force Encourages North Carolinians to Increase Preparedness Measures for COVID-19
- CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
If you have questions or concerns, call the COVID-19 Helpline toll free at 1-866-462-3821. To submit questions online, go to www.ncpoisoncontrol.org and select “chat.”
