Hickory Sun

Burke County issued the following announcement on June 20.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COVID-19 Burke County Media Briefing

Burke County’s Response to COVID-19

• Burke County is holding at 873 positive cases. The cases consist of traveling, congregate living, and community spread. All positive cases are isolated and Public Health staff continues to investigate the cases and will be locating those close contacts to help contain the spread of the infection.

• Para español llama al 764-9150 y presiona el número dos. Si nadie contesta favor de deja un corto mensaje con su nombre y número de teléfono.

Some of Burke County’s community spread of this infection is coming from residents coming together in large groups for such events like:

*Family reunions

*Funerals

*Parties of any kind

*Choir practice in people’s homes

*Bible studies in people’s homes

*Church services etc.

Attending these events are fun and/or essential and people want to attend even when they are sick. We do not want those who are sick to attend any event to help reduce the spread of this infection. So, since most of the community has been apart for a while but it is also very dangerous for some residents within our community. When residents gather together especially indoors without using face coverings and not being physically distant from each other along with singing, shouting, talking, laughing, etc. it increases the risk of spreading this infection among these crowds like a wildfire.

Our new normal, practice the 3 W’s: WEAR – a cloth face covering when out in public and in places where you cannot physically distance yourself from others, WAIT – at least six feet from others everywhere you are and WASH – your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if you do not have access to soap and water.

If you have recently gotten a COVID-19 test but have not gotten your test results, please make sure to contact the place where you got tested to get your results. All who get tested for COVID-19 are REQUIRED to self-isolate (stay at home and do not go out for any reason) at home until their test results return which could be 2 to 4 days depending upon the company doing the testing. Also, you will need to self-isolate from others within your home until your test results come back so you do not spread the virus within your home.

If you have any further questions or need additional information, contact the Burke County Public Information Line at 828-764-9168, Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm. After hours, weekends and holidays, please leave a message and your call will be answered as soon as staff returns. Or you can also visit the Burke County COVID-19 webpage at www.burkenc.org/COVID-19.

Original source can be found here.