Per the newest State guidance for March 29:
- North Carolina now has widespread community spread of COVID-19 therefore they are moving to a different phase of response efforts and is further increasing the population-based community reduction strategies.
- The goal is to decrease the spread of the virus among the population especially those at highest risk so that fewer people need medical care at the same time.
- In addition, they are implementing strategies to try to save supplies and critical workforce so that health care workers and first responders can care for people with more severe symptoms during the outbreak.
- For those with mild symptoms, treatment is to focus on managing symptoms, stay hydrated and stay at home and isolated away from others as much as possible within the home. A test will not change how mild symptoms are managed.
New control measures starting March 30:
- Residents are encouraged to CALL their medical provider if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 but they do not need to come out to be tested since it may spread the illness to others in the community including those at higher risk of complications and health care workers.
- People who are not infected with COVID-19 can become infected when going out to get tested especially at health care sites.
- People in congregate living situations (such as, but not limited to long term care facilities, group homes, jails, etc) who have mild symptoms (fever and cough) consistent with COVID-19 that do not progress to severe symptoms (shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, altered thinking and cyanosis), do NOT need testing for COVID-19 and are instructed to stay isolated at home to recover. If symptoms worsen then medical
- Patients who have mild symptoms consistent with COVID-19 need to self-isolate at home for
- At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first started
- AND at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as fever is gone without the use of fever reducing medications AND improvement in respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath)
- Household members and other close contacts (within 6 feet or less for longer than 10 minutes) of a person with known or suspected COVID-19 should stay at home for 14 days after the last exposure, stay at least 6 feet from others, self-monitor their temperature and symptoms and self-isolate if they develop symptoms