“We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones. This is a sad reminder that COVID-19 is a serious and sometimes deadly illness. We urge all citizens to do their part by observing social distancing, wear masks and practice good hygiene,” said Health Director Patrick Johnson. Haywood County has also had 34 new COVID-19 cases between Sept. 25 and Oct. 1, bringing the total number of people in quarantine or isolation to 84. “We are seeing a steady number of three to six new COVID-19 cases every day. The bad news is the number in quarantine is going up as our cases are having more close contacts. This may indicate people are letting their guard down. We also see the con-
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Cooper’s Phase 3 announcement comes after what he called “Safer at home phase 2.5,” which began on Friday, Sept. 4, at 5 p.m. Phase 3 will remain effective through Friday, Oct. 23.
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tinued trend of people traveling to tourist spots in Tennessee and South Carolina and bringing the virus back to Haywood County,” Johnson said. Macon County Schools is still experiencing positive cases at several of its schools while the county as a whole has 31 active cases as of Monday. Swain County currently has 17 active cases while Jackson County has 43 people in isolation. Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians recently reported an increase in cases mostly due to family gatherings. Principal Chief Richard Sneed implored the community to stay vigilant and follow health officials’ recommendations. There are currently 970 people in the state being hospitalized due to COVID-19. To read the full text of Gov. Cooper’s Executive Order No. 169, which contains indepth Phase 3 provisions, visit files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/ EO169-Phase-3.pdf To learn more about the most current state of coronavirus resources in North Carolina, visit www.nc.gov/covid19.
October 7-13, 2020
STAFF REPORTS ontinuing what he called the state’s “dimmer switch” approach to reopening, Gov. Roy Cooper announced today that North Carolina will move into Phase 3 beginning at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5. Several trends monitored by state health officials, including case trajectories, positive test rate and hospitalizations have remained steady while contract tracing efforts have increased, according to Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Cohen said that North Carolina is now “protecting progress” in the fight against the disease, which has claimed more than 200,000 American lives this year. At-risk populations are still safer at home, Cooper said, and face coverings remain mandatory for those over the age of 5, but Phase 3 means a number of modifications to mass gatherings outdoors. Large outdoor venues with more than 10,000 seats can now operate at 7 percent capacity, which works out to 700 people. Smaller outdoor venues can operate at the lesser of 30 percent capacity or 100 people. Bars can open outdoors only, at 30 percent of outdoor capacity or 100 guests, whichever is less. Outdoor amusement parks can open at 30 percent occupancy. “Every gathering carries the risk of spreading this disease,” Cooper said, while advising people to take precautions against the coronavirus if they do venture forth to enjoy any of the state’s outdoor entertainment establishments. The limits on indoor gatherings – 25 people – will remain. Cooper’s Phase 3 announcement comes after what he called “Safer at home phase 2.5,” which began on Friday, Sept. 4, at 5 p.m. Phase 3 will remain effective through Friday, Oct. 23. Further guidance from Cooper and state health officials is expected in the days before. Haywood County Health and Human Services reported a COVID-19 death Monday from among the cases associated with the Enchanting Hair Fashions salon cluster in Canton. The individual died on Oct. 1 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. The death certificate lists pneumonia due to COVID-19 infection as an underlying cause of death (the disease that initiated the events resulting in death). The individual was elderly and had several underlying medical conditions.
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