Iredell County reports its first positive case of coronavirus
Iredell County reported its first case of coronavirus Monday evening.
The county health department said in a news release that it was notified Monday afternoon of a presumptive positive case of COVID-19. The results were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.
The person who tested positive is isolated at home and the health department says it’s an isolated case. Officials are working to identify the person’s close contacts.
No information about him or her will be released, the health department says.
North Carolina has 40 reported cases of coronavirus as of 7 p.m. Monday, seven of which are in nearby Mecklenberg County, The News & Observer reports. Cabarrus County has reported one case.
Iredell marks the 16th county in the state to identify a case of COVID-19.
Many of the cases are concentrated in the Triangle area, with Wake County reporting 15 as of Monday evening.
Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for North Carolina last week, and closures and cancellations have swept the state as the virus spreads.
Health officials believe North Carolina could reach 110 positive cases by the end of the week and 4,000 by the beginning of April.
In a news conference Monday, President Donald Trump said gatherings of 10 or more people should be avoided for the next 15 days and people should not go to bars or restaurants.
Iredell health officials said the virus is not widespread in the county.
“The Iredell County Health Department is making all efforts to protect the health and well-being of this individual and the general public,” Jane Hinson, the county health director, said in the release.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 6:37 PM.
