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Confirmed Monkeypox Case in Region 1

BREAKING NEWS, Community June 28, 2022 , by
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Confirmed Monkeypox Case in Region 1
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has recently confirmed the first positive case of monkeypox within North Carolina. This case has been identified in Haywood County. The Cherokee County Health Department is working closely with NCDHHS to make sure we remain up to date on all aspects of prevention, treatment, spread, and risk factors identified by the CDC. Currently, there is no significant risk identified for the general public.
Haywood public health officials have been working closely with the NCDHHS to identify potential contacts. The individual is isolated at home. In respect of their privacy, no other details surrounding the case will be released.
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious, viral illness that typically involves flu-like symptoms, swelling of the lymph nodes, and a rash that includes bumps that are initially filled with fluid before scabbing over. Illness could be confused with a sexually transmitted infection like syphilis or herpes; or with varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox). Most infections last 2-to-4 weeks.
Some people are at a higher risk for getting monkeypox including — people who have had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypox; people who have had close contact, such as skin-to-skin contact, with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, including men who have sex with men who meet partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event (e.g., a bar or party); and people who traveled to an area where monkeypox activity has been ongoing may also be at a higher risk.
In this outbreak, monkeypox is transmitted from person to person through direct contact with infectious rash or body fluids or through respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex. While anyone can get monkeypox, many of the current cases are in men who have sex with men.
Infection with monkeypox virus begins with an average incubation period of 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days. A person is not contagious during this period. The contagious period begins with the onset of symptoms. The first symptoms include fever, headache, malaise, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. Following the initial onset of symptoms, lesions will develop in the mouth and on the body and will progress through several stages. A person is contagious from the onset of symptoms through the scab stage of lesions.
People can take basic steps to prevent the spread of monkeypox. If you have an unexplained rash, sores, or other symptoms, see your healthcare provider – if you don’t have a provider or health insurance, visit a public health clinic near you. Keep the rash covered and avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until you have been checked out. Monkeypox virus can be killed by common household cleaners and detergents.
The CDC have been tracking multiple cases of monkeypox that have been reported in several countries that do not normally report monkeypox, including the United States. This virus has and will continue to be monitored diligently by health officials.
Please follow the link to the CDC website for current and accurate data surrounding this virus: Click here for more info

Cherokee County Announces 106th and 107th COVID-19 Related Deaths

Press Release January 18, 2022 , by
Two Cherokee County residents have died from complications of COVID-19. One individual was in their late-forties, and the other individual is was in their mid-seventies. These are the 106th and 107th COVID-19 related deaths in Cherokee County.
Cherokee County Health Department emphasizes that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:
• At least 24 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
• At least 5 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and once you stop isolating, you should wear a mask for 5 additional days.
It is also recommended that household and close contacts of persons with a respiratory type illness should quarantine according to latest CDC guidance to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.
In addition to isolating as instructed above, if you become sick with a respiratory type illness, please contact the Cherokee County Health Department at 828-837-7486 or your primary care provider to determine if you need to be tested.
It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus

.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information at https://www.facebook.com/cchdnc.gov.
Symptoms for COVID-19 have a wide range reported-ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. If you are having a mild respiratory illness or exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.
If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

Cherokee County NC announces fourth COVID-19 death

News August 5, 2020 , by
numbers asymptomatic fourth death
A Cherokee County resident that was previously reported to have COVID-19 has died from complications of COVID-19. This individual was in their early sixties. This is the fourth COVID-19 related death in Cherokee County.
This serves as an unfortunate reminder of the seriousness that surrounds COVID-19 and the potential impacts of the virus. We as a community must do our part to help stop the spread of the virus by washing our hands, practicing social distancing and wearing a face mask to help protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19. These are important preventative measures that we should all be taking any time we are in areas where maintaining 6 feet of distance may be difficult. It’s also important to remember that just because you feel well, doesn’t mean you cannot transmit the virus to others.
Cherokee County Health Department emphasizes that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:
• At least 24 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
It is also recommended that household and close contacts of persons with a respiratory type illness should quarantine to the extent possible for 14 days and monitor for symptoms of a respiratory illness. If household or close contacts become sick during the 14 day monitoring period, it is advised that they then isolate until the criteria for discontinuation of isolation (listed above) are met.
In addition to isolating as instructed above, if you become sick with a respiratory type illness, please contact the Cherokee County Health Department at 828-837-7486 or your primary care provider to determine if you need to be tested.
Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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. The CDC now recommends that cloth face coverings be worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).
It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information at https://www.facebook.com/cchdnc.gov.

Symptoms for COVID-19 have a wide range reported-ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. If you are having a mild respiratory illness or exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.
If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

Cherokee County announces third COVID-19 death

News, Press Release July 22, 2020 , by
resident work-related death
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – A Cherokee County resident that was reported to have COVID-19 has died from complications of COVID-19. This individual was in their late eighties. This is the third COVID-19 related death in Cherokee County.
This serves as an unfortunate reminder of the seriousness that surrounds COVID-19 and the potential impacts to those high-risk individuals. We as a community must do our part to help stop the spread of the virus by washing our hands, practicing social distancing and wearing a mask to help protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19. These are important preventative measures that we should all be taking any time we are in areas where maintaining 6 feet of distance may be difficult. It’s also important to remember that just because you feel well, doesn’t mean you can’t transmit the virus to others.
See the latest COVID-19 numbers for Cherokee here. 
Cherokee County Health Department emphasizes that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:
• At least 24 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
It is also recommended that household and close contacts of persons with a respiratory type illness should quarantine to the extent possible for 14 days and monitor for symptoms of a respiratory illness. If household or close contacts become sick during the 14 day monitoring period, it is advised that they then isolate until the criteria for discontinuation of isolation (listed above) are met.
In addition to isolating as instructed above, if you become sick with a respiratory type illness, please contact the Cherokee County Health Department at 828-837-7486 or your primary care provider to determine if you need to be tested.
Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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. The CDC now recommends that cloth face coverings be worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).
It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information at

https://www.facebook.com/cchdnc.gov.
Symptoms for COVID-19 have a wide range reported-ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. If you are having a mild respiratory illness or exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.
If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

COVID-19 case numbers for Cherokee County, N.C.

Health May 7, 2020 , by
numbers asymptomatic fourth death

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – As part of the effort to keep the county informed, Cherokee County Health Department (CCHD) issues daily detailed updates about the status of COVID-19, including recovery numbers.

The following information is from the September 23rd update.

Confirmed cases in Cherokee continue to slowly grow with 610 laboratory-verified cases and 91 tests with results pending. The positives also include residents of other states who received COVID-19 test in Cherokee.

CCHD also releases recovery or released numbers and 497 patients have “cleared the virus” according to a laboratory test. There are 96 active cases. 17 residents of Cherokee have died from the virus.

6,557 residents have been tested and reported to the CCHD and 5,856 were negative.

Statewide the NCDHHS has confirmed 196,501 cases in 99 N.C. counties. 912 are currently hospitalized, and 3,345 have died.

Cherokee County Health Department also emphasizes that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:

  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
  • At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

If you become sick with a respiratory type illness and are in one of the following categories, please contact the Cherokee County Health Department at 828-837-7486 or your primary care provider to determine if you need to be tested:

  • Healthcare worker
  • 65 years and older
  • Underlying health conditions such as chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma; serious heart conditions; people with weakened immune systems, severe obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease.
  • First Responder
  • Essential worker

Individual tests COVID-19 positive after work-related travel

Health, Press Release April 16, 2020 , by
resident work-related death

CHEROKEE COUNTY, NC PRESS RELEASE – One resident of Cherokee County has tested positive for COVID – 19 and is currently isolated in their home in Cherokee County. This individual was tested after presenting to receive medical care and reporting they had been informed that they were in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 while in New Jersey on essential work-related travel. This individual has remained isolated in their home since returning from New Jersey.

The Cherokee County Health Department would like to commend this individual for immediately isolating upon their return to Cherokee County. This serves as a positive example of how individual choices have a much larger impact on our community as a whole in helping to stop the viruses spread.

Cherokee County Health Department continues to perform contact tracing on other previously reported cases in an effort to identify close contacts and perform testing as indicated.

Contact investigations on previously reported cases in Cherokee County continue to leave no clear source of infection and are an indication that community spread is occurring. According to the CDC, community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

In an effort to slow community spread, Cherokee County Health Department is continuing to urge anyone who does not have an essential need to go out into the public to Stay at Home and limit all unnecessary contacts.

Cherokee County Health Department also emphasizes that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:

  •  At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
  •  At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

It is also recommended that household and close contacts of persons with a respiratory type illness should quarantine to the extent possible for 14 days and monitor for symptoms of a respiratory illness. If household or close contacts become sick during the 14 day monitoring period, it is advised that they then isolate until the criteria for discontinuation of isolation (listed above) are met.

In addition to isolating as instructed above, if you become sick with a respiratory type illness and are in one of the following categories, please contact the Cherokee County Health Department at 828-837-7486 or your primary care provider to determine if you need to be tested:

  • Healthcare worker
  • 65 years and older
  • Underlying health conditions such as chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma; serious heart conditions; people with weakened immune systems, severe obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease.
  • First Responder
  • Essential worker

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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. It is also recommended that all individuals only go into public areas for essential activities. The CDC now recommends that cloth face coverings be worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you are having a mild respiratory illness, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.

If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

Here’s a link to other confirmed cases in Cherokee County.

New Cherokee resident tests positive in isolation

Health, News April 15, 2020 , by
resident work-related death

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. PRESS RELEASE – One resident of Cherokee County has tested positive for COVID – 19 and is currently isolated in their home in Cherokee County. This individual was tested after presenting to a local Emergency Department requesting care for a respiratory type illness and has remained isolated since being tested. The Cherokee County Health Department is performing a contact investigation in an effort to identify close contacts of this individual and perform testing, as indicated. This individual has not had contact with anyone known to be infected with COVID-19 or linked to other ongoing investigations.

Recent contact investigations related to (previously) reported cases in Cherokee County have left no clear source of infection and are an indication that community spread is occurring. According to the CDC, community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

In an effort to slow community spread, Cherokee County Health Department is continuing to urge anyone who does not have an essential need to go out into the public to Stay at Home and limit all unnecessary contacts.

Cherokee County Health Department also emphasizes that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:

  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
  • At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

It is also recommended that household and close contacts of persons with a respiratory type illness should quarantine to the extent possible for 14 days and monitor for symptoms of a respiratory illness. If household or close contacts become sick during the 14 day monitoring period, it is advised that they then isolate until the criteria for discontinuation of isolation (listed above) are met.

In addition to isolating as instructed above, if you become sick with a respiratory type illness and are in one of the following categories, please contact the Cherokee County Health Department at 828-837-7486 or your primary care provider to determine if you need to be tested:

  • Healthcare worker
  • 65 years and older
  • Underlying health conditions such as chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma; serious heart conditions; people with weakened immune systems, severe obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease.
    • First Responder
    • Essential worker

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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. It is also recommended that all individuals only go into public areas for essential activities. The CDC now recommends that cloth face coverings be worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you are having a mild respiratory illness, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.
If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

Lowe’s Employee in Murphy, N.C. tests positive, employees asked to self-monitor

Business April 10, 2020 , by
Lowe's

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – Earlier today, the Cherokee County Health Department released details about another positive COVID-19 case, who worked at Lowe’s in Murphy and asks employees to self-monitor.

A resident of Cherokee County has tested positive for COVID – 19 and is currently isolated in their home in Cherokee County. This individual presented to the Cherokee County Health Department seeking evaluation for symptoms of COVID-19 and was tested. This person was informed of the need to isolate at the time of testing, however, this person had been symptomatic for close to two weeks prior to seeking care. Cherokee County Health Department is working to notify close known contacts of this individual.

Due to the individual continuing to work and be in the community prior to and after becoming symptomatic, public health officials anticipate there to be potential for additional exposure who are not easily identifiable. This individual works at Lowe’s in Murphy, NC. It is now advised that everyone self-monitor for a respiratory type illness and isolate immediately if symptoms begin. However, if you have been to the Lowe’s located in Murphy, NC any time between March 22nd and April 7th and you had contact with anyone who was less than 6 feet from you for 10 minutes or longer, it is advised that you quarantine yourself and monitor for symptoms of illness for 14 days from the date of potential exposure.

lowe's

Lowe’s employees in Murphy, N.C. are asked to self-monitor for respiratory illness symptoms.

If you become sick during this time, you should isolate yourself and your household in an effort to stop the spread of this virus. Persons should remain isolated when sick until the following criteria are met:

  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
  • At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
    If household or close contacts become sick during the 14 day monitoring period, it is advised that they then isolate until the criteria for discontinuation of isolation (listed above) are met.

If you become sick with a respiratory type illness and are in one of the following categories, please contact the Cherokee County Health Department at 828-837-7486 to speak to a provider to determine if you need to be tested:

  • Healthcare worker
  • 65 years and older
  • Underlying health conditions such as chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma; serious heart conditions; people with weakened immune systems, severe obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, liver disease.
  • First Responder
  • Essential worker

Cherokee County Health Department is working closely with Lowe’s of Murphy, NC in order to determine dates and times this individual was working. Coworkers of this individual are being notified, assessed and tested as indicated based on risk. The infected individual has not had contact with anyone known to be infected with COVID-19. To our knowledge, no residents of Cherokee County are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.

This serves as an important reminder that Staying at Home and practicing social distancing when necessary to go out into the public are the most effective interventions that we as a community can take to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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. It is also recommended that all individuals only go into public areas for essential activities. The CDC now recommends that cloth face coverings be worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you are having a mild respiratory illness, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.

If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

Here’s more information on yesterday’s confirmed case.

Cherokee County N.C. resident and Georgia healthcare worker tests positive for COVID-19

Featured, Featured Stories, Press Release April 9, 2020 , by
Georgia Cherokee County Residents

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – A resident of Cherokee County has tested positive for COVID – 19 and is currently isolated in their home in Cherokee County. This individual is a healthcare worker in Georgia that was tested after developing symptoms of COVID-19. The individual’s employer made the decision to test for COVID-19, however, the decision to test was not communicated to the Cherokee County Health Department until today when the test result came back positive. This person was not informed to isolate after being tested. Cherokee County Health Department is performing an extensive contact investigation in an effort to identify close contacts of this individual and perform testing. This individual has not had contact with anyone known to be infected with COVID-19.

The CDC is now urging anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:

  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
  •  At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

It is also recommended that household and close contacts of persons with a respiratory type illness should quarantine to the extent possible for 14 days and monitor for symptoms of a respiratory illness. If household or close contacts become sick during the 14 day monitoring period, it is advised that they then isolate until the criteria for discontinuation of isolation (listed above) are met.

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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. It is also recommended that all individuals only go into public areas for essential activities. The CDC now recommends that cloth face coverings be worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you are having a mild respiratory illness, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.
If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

Information about earlier Cherokee County cases, here.

List of confirmed cases in Georgia and N.C., here.

Ninth Cherokee County resident tests positive for COVID-19

Health, News, Press Release April 6, 2020 , by
Covid-19

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – A resident of Cherokee County has tested positive for COVID – 19 and is currently isolated in their home in Cherokee County. This individual is a household contact to the previously reported case believed to have been infected during a visit to Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino. Cherokee County Health Department staff have continued working to identify the source of the infection and contacts. This individual has been isolated since the household member was tested and only came out of isolation to receive medical care.

The CDC is now urging anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:

  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND
  • At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

It is also recommended that household and close contacts of persons with a respiratory type illness should quarantine to the extent possible for 14 days and monitor for symptoms of a respiratory illness. If household or close contacts become sick during the 14 day monitoring period, it is advised that they then isolate until the criteria for discontinuation of isolation (listed above) are met.

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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. It is also recommended that all individuals only go into public areas for essential activities. The CDC now recommends that cloth face coverings be worn in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit
the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you are having a mild respiratory illness, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.
If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

Cherokee County reports first COVID-19 related death

Business March 31, 2020 , by
death

PRESS RELEASE – The Cherokee County Health Department is reporting the first COVID-19 associated death by a Cherokee County resident. The individual was in their late 80s and died from complications associated with COVID-19 on March 31, 2020. To protect the privacy of the family no further information about this patient will be released by the Cherokee County Health Department.

Our prayers are with the family and loved ones during this time. This serves as an unfortunate reminder of the seriousness that surrounds COVID-19 and the potential impacts to those high-risk individuals. We as a community must do our part to help stop the spread of the virus by staying at home and practicing social distancing combined with other protective measures when necessary to go out into the public.

The CDC has updated who is at high risk for severe illness. People at high risk include anyone who:

  • Is 65 years of age or older
  • Lives in a nursing home or long-term care facility
  • Has a high-risk condition that includes:
    • chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
    • heart disease with complications
    •  compromised immune system
    • severe obesity – body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
    • other underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as diabetes, renal failure or liver disease

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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. It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit
the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you are having a mild respiratory illness, isolate yourself from others until the following criteria are met:
• At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and
• At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.

If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.

Another Cherokee County N.C. Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19

Health, News March 26, 2020 , by
Covid-19

PRESS RELEASE FROM CHEROKEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT: A Cherokee County resident that tested positive for COVID-19 is being monitored and following isolation orders in Cherokee County. The Cherokee County Health Department was notified that a resident of our county was on a cruise line and had been exposed to a person with confirmed COVID-19 while on the cruise. At the time that the Health Department was notified, the patient had known of their exposure for approximately five days and had self-quarantined since notification. The individual developed mild symptoms and the Health Department coordinated testing for COVID-19.

This individual has been on isolation since before becoming symptomatic. We can say with great certainty that this case was isolated during the symptomatic phase of the illness and therefore had little to no opportunity to spread the virus.

New recommendations from the CDC now urge anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness to isolate until the following criteria are met:

• At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and
• At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
It is also recommended that household and close contacts of persons with a respiratory type illness should quarantine to the extent possible for 14 days and monitor for symptoms of a respiratory illness. If household or close contacts become sick during the 14 day monitoring period, it is advised that they then isolate until the criteria for discontinuation of isolation (listed above) are met.

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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. It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit
the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.
Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illnesses (shortness of breath). If you are having a mild respiratory illness, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival.

If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM.

For information about other cases in Cherokee County, click here.

Three Cherokee County, NC residents and Illinois resident test positive for COVID-19

Health, News March 21, 2020 , by
residents

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – Around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20, Cherokee County Health Department issued a press release concerning four new COVID-19 cases. Three are Cherokee County residents. See the entire release below.

“Two Cherokee County residents that tested positive for COVID – 19 are being monitored and following isolation orders in Cherokee County. The patients are household contacts of the case from New York that tested positive in Cherokee County earlier this week. Both the index case (patient from New York) and the residents from Cherokee County have been isolated since testing was initiated on the patient from New York.

A third Cherokee County resident has tested positive for COVID – 19 and is currently isolated in their home since testing was initiated. This patient attended the contra dance on March 10th at the John C. Campbell Folk School which the New York patient had also attended. The patient is at home on isolation. Cherokee County Health Department will continue necessary contact tracing on this patient in identifying close contacts.

A resident of Illinois that tested positive for COVID – 19 is being monitored and following isolation orders in Cherokee County. The patient had traveled from Illinois and was staying in the home with the index case (patient from New York) that tested positive in Cherokee County earlier this week. Since cases are reported under the state of residency, this case will be identified as an Illinois case, not a North Carolina case. Therefore, this case will not show up on the North Carolina maps as a Cherokee County case. Both the index case from New York and the resident from Illinois are isolated since testing was initiated on the patient from New York.

Both of the Cherokee County individuals and the Illinois case have been on isolation since before becoming symptomatic. For this reason, contact tracing on these three cases will not be necessary. We can say with great certainty that these cases were isolated during the symptomatic phase of the illness and therefore had little to no opportunity to spread the virus.

It is now advised that anyone who becomes ill with a respiratory type illness should isolate until the following criteria are met:

• 7 days have passed since the onset of symptoms; AND
• At least 72 hours without a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and respiratory symptoms are improving

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, individuals should 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.

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like Cherokee County Health Department, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Cherokee County Health Department regularly updates our Facebook page with accurate and current information regarding COVID-19, we encourage the public to check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you are having a mild respiratory illness, isolate yourself from others until the criteria above is met. If your illness becomes severe requiring urgent or emergent health care, call and inform your health care provider or emergency services of your symptoms prior to arrival. If you have questions, you may call the Health Department at 828-837-7486 during regular office hours which are Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM.”

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