A case of COVID-19 – the 17th – has been confirmed in Lenoir County. The Lenoir County Health Department received notification of the lab-confirmed cases on Thursday, April 16. The Health Department is continuing to further investigate this case in order to try to determine where this case was exposed to the virus. To protect individual privacy, no further information will be shared. 

The Health Department completed tracing on cases No. 15 and 16 that were reported on Tuesday, April 15 and both were connected to travel or contact with a known positive case. The age ranges for confirmed cases in Lenoir County are from 15 to 90.

Additionally, the Health Department is unable to ascertain the number of recovered cases in the county due to the guidelines for certified recoveries being changed. This is due to instructions from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, which is reassigning the definition of “recovered;” that definition is being finalized by the state. Once we receive the definition, recovered cases will be reported.

As of today, the Lenoir County Health Department has monitored a total of 257 individuals and households across the county; there are 15 pending tests. Please understand that monitoring does not indicate a positive COVID-19 test, but that precautions are being taken due to recent travel, the individuals are showing symptoms but are untested and self-quarantining or those individuals have been tested and are awaiting those results.

As the nation, state and county realize a continued increase in lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases, we want to reassure the public that Lenoir County Government is doing everything it can within its authority to educate and inform the public as it navigates this unprecedented event. We are all partners, engaged in a community-wide response that involves precautionary measures that must be taken by each and every resident of the county to protect themselves, their families and their community.

Accurate information about COVID-19 and prevention methods can be found at https://www.cdc.gov or https://www.ncdhhs.gov or by calling 866-462-3821. Having accurate information will assist you in protecting yourself, your family and your community.