Lincolnton, NC – The following counts are based on data reported to the Lincoln County Health Department as of 3/26/2020: 

• 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. Going forward, these updates will be issued twice per week, on Mondays & Thursdays. Additional updates or releases will be issued as needed.

 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 3 days (72 hours) since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications?
  2. Has it been at least 3 days (72 hours) since you have had an improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath)?
  3. Has it been at least 7 days since symptoms first appeared?

Reference: NCDHHS Patient Guidance 3/23/20

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, LincolntonNC.org/COVID,  LincolnCounty.org, and LincolnCounty.org/health in addition to an 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: 704736-8510.

 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.

 Partners Behavioral Health Management- Access to Care line: 1-888-235-4673

Media Release