North Carolina’s governor declared a state of emergency after five more cases were confirmed in the state Monday.
Gov. Roy Cooper announced the news during a news briefing Tuesday, according to news station Fox 8. Five more people in Wake County presumptively tested positive for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), according to a news release from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Those cases were added to the previous two cases identified in North Carolina.
The latest five patients traveled to Boston in late February to attend a BioGen conference. Several cases of COVID-19 across the country have been tied to that conference. These cases are not related to the Wake County individual who tested positive last week. All are in isolation at their homes.
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The Wake County Public Health Division is working to identify close contacts with these patients. Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, Cooper and his coronavirus task force suggest North Carolinians take the same measures that health care providers recommend to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses, including washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, staying home if you are sick and covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
North Carolinians with questions or concerns about COVID-19 can call the COVID-19 phone line toll-free at 866-462-3821. This helpline is staffed by the North Carolina Poison Control 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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