The following counts are based on data reported to the Lincoln County Health Department as of today:

• A positive active case is a person who tested positive in a commercial, state, or CDC lab and remains in isolation until cleared.
• A positive recovered case is a person who tested positive in a commercial, state, or CDC lab but has now met the state criteria for clearance.
• A negative case is a person that is no longer considered a PUI because they tested negative in a commercial or state lab.
• A PUI is a person who was tested based on COVID-19 testing criteria and is self-isolating until test results are received. During the period of self-isolation, the Lincoln County Health Department provides daily contact management to all PUIs to monitor symptoms or contacts.

Lincoln County is still considered a low risk community at this time.

Lincoln County residents are urged to exercise judgment and take the following precautions as appropriate:

STAY HOME AND CALL YOUR DOCTOR, IF NEEDED

• Most people who get COVID-19 will recover without needing medical care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay home if you have mild symptoms – such as fever and cough without shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. You can call your doctor to see if you need medical care.

MOST PEOPLE DO NOT NEED A TEST

• When you leave your home to get tested, you could expose yourself to COVID-19 if you do not already have it. If you do have COVID-19, you can give it to someone else, including people who are high risk.

ISOLATE YOURSELF

• If you are sick with COVID-19 or believe you might have it, you should stay home and separate yourself from other people in the home as much as possible.
• You can stop isolating yourself and go back to your normal activities when you answer YES to ALL three questions:
  1. Has it been at least 7 days since you first had symptoms?
  2. Have you been without fever for three days (72 hours) without any medicine for fever?
  3. Are your other symptoms improved? Call your doctor if your symptoms are getting worse or you have any concerns about your health.
• Practice good hygiene and take everyday preventive actions to reduce exposure:
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.

Continue to monitor information provided by the CDC, NCDHHS, LincolnCounty.org, or LincolnCounty.org/Health in addition to any official State or County communications.

For questions or concerns regarding your risk for COVID-19, use the following numbers:

• Lincoln County Health Department triage line, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm: 704-736-8510.
• Atrium Health triage line, 24/7: 704-512-5700
• Novant Health triage line, 24/7: 877-499-1697
• For after-hour concerns or general questions please dial 211 for assistance or call the 24/7 Coronavirus Helpline at 1-866-462-3821.

Media Release