Fifty new COVID cases
Published 9:04 am Thursday, July 2, 2020
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Fifty new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed among Davie residents during the week that ended on Monday.
The Davie County Health Department reported that there are 62 active cases of COVID, and that 148 had met the definition of recovery, or it has been 14 days since they were tested.
Because of the larger volume of cases locally, the health department has changed what it considered to be “recovered.” Before, no patient was considered recovered until they were no longer sick. Now, it is 14 days after being tested, a definition provided by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Due to the sheer number of cases and work involved with pandemic response, staff will be adopting the blanket recovery guidance,” said Health Director Suzanne Wright. “The drop in sick cases were a result of this newly-adopted process.”
To date, 214 COVID cases have been reported in Davie. Four died. One is in the hospital.
A breakdown by age of the positive cases: age 65 or older, 21; age 50-64, 43; age 25-49, 87; age 18-24, 26; and under age 18, 37.
Those who think they may have contracted the virus are asked to call their healthcare provider, the health department at 336-753-6550, Wake Forest Baptist Urgent Care in Mocksville at 336-713-0555 or Davie Medical Center at 336 702-6843 (COVID calls only).
More than 2,550 tests have been performed in Davie, which includes some who have been tested more than once.
A directive from Gov. Roy Cooper last week requires all residents to wear a mask when in public places, but don’t expect local police to enforce that order.
The order reads: “Law enforcement personnel are not authorized to criminally enforce the face covering requirements of this executive order against individuals, workers, customers or patrons.”
“If you would like to call and complain about this order being unenforceable by law enforcement, please direct your calls to Gov. Cooper’s office (919-814-2000),” the police deparment posted on Facebook.
The police department office remains closed to the public, unless they have an appointment. As many reports will be taken by phone as possible, and officers are limiting face-to-face contact with the public, the post said.
Davie EMS Chief Joseph Ashburn said call volume has remained steady, but not overwhelming. Staff are monitored daily and none have tested positive. Paramedics are talking to the medical director more via remote means, and the agency is working with the school system to help train school workers and athletic departments, he said.
Chad Brown, president of Wake Forest Baptist Health Davie Medical Center, said elective surgeries resumed on May 5 and are close to a normal level.
“We’re seeing our volume come back to pre-COVID numbers,” he said. “It’s not doom and gloom, but it’s not over. It’s not when we will be finished (with COVID) … but how we live with it. Healthcare in general is going to look different.” He mentioned more “tele doc” visits and other remote ways to deal with patients, which he sees as a positive change.
“Davie Medical Center has been ready and continues to be ready for your healthcare needs,” he said.