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The number of COVID cases in Davie County remains stable, but health officials expect it to continue to change.

As of Monday, four people in Davie were recovering from the virus, Suzanne Wright, health director, told county commissioners. There have been 31 total lab-confirmed cases here – the first on March 22, the last on May 1.

“We will continue to have spikes and lulls,” Wright said.

She has seen cases where people died, and where the only symptoms were headaches. New symptoms were added to the list, and she suggests anyone with new symptoms such as chills with shaking, muscle pain, body aches and a sudden loss of taste or smell to isolate and seek medical attention.

Wright said Davie health and human service workers are on the frontline every day, just like the EMS and hospital workers.

“Most don’t realize they are first responders, too. They are in homes every day. Domestic violence doesn’t stop during a pandemic,” she said. “They’re the unsung heroes of public service in our community.”

The commissioners adopted a resolution and approved a letter to be sent to Gov. Roy Cooper asking that the county have more say in re-opening. The stay-at-home order is scheduled to be lifted on Friday, but few more businesses can open.

“The closure of businesses through May continues to create a significant hardship on Davie County residents. As a rural county, we depend heavily on our small businesses, as they make up a significant portion of our business community; and the governor should apply an equal standard for businesses vs. deeming some essential or non-essential.”

The proclamation went on to say that a further stay-at-home order and closure of businesses will take longer for the economy to recover.

“Due to our rural population, it is achievable for our residents to practice control measures to prevent further community transmission more so than urban counties.”

It requests that the governor “allow Davie County and other rural counties to reopen businesses and houses of worship in a safe and responsible manner, taking into account social distancing and mass gathering restrictions, exercise proper hygiene, increased COVID testing capability, and extensive contact tracing measures to prevent the continued spread.”

At the request of member Mark Jones, the board also agreed to send a proclamation to the governor the Davie board adopted in February declaring itself a constitutional rights county.

Jones said it is time for the board to stand up for its residents.

“There comes a point and its coming soon, when the citizens of Davie County are not going to accept any more passing the buck to Gov. Cooper and folks in Raleigh. It is inherently unfair for box store parking lots to be filled to the brim, exposing themselves, and on Main Street today, every small business is closed,” Jones said. “Is it fair for WalMart to be open selling clothes and whatever and our small businesses to be closed?”

He also mentioned the fact that abortion clinics and liquor stores are still open.

“I really don’t care what Gov. Cooper says. Folks, it’s getting out of hand. Davie County needs to take care of Davie County. The day is coming when it’s not good enough to send proclamations and resolutions to the governor. It’s almost a joke to go by these box store parking lots. It’s not right.”

Commissioner Benita Finney agreed. “By the number of cars at the big box stores over the weekends, it’s time to open up some of our smaller businesses … the backbone of our community.”