BREAKING NEWS: Jones County identifies two positive cases of COVID-19

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Trenton, NC – The first positive cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Jones County. Two (2) individuals who were in direct contact with each other were tested for COVID-19 on Sunday, April 5. Confirmation of positive COVID-19 test results was forwarded to Jones County Health Department on Tuesday, April 7. The individuals are hospitalized at this time. 

Jones County Health Department’s Communicable Disease staff are working at this time to conduct contact tracing to make sure everyone who came into close contact with this individual is contacted. Close contact is anyone who was within six feet of the individual for more than 10 minutes. To protect the individuals’ privacy, no further information will be released. 

“Jones County Health Department staff are following all state protocols and will be conducting contact tracing to help identify potential exposures within the County,” stated Wesley Smith, Jones County Health Director. 

There are known methods to reduce and slow the spread of infection. Individuals can practice everyday prevention measures like frequent handwashing, staying home when sick, disinfecting surfaces, and covering coughs and sneezes. Community-based interventions can also slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes measures collectively known as “social distancing.” Social distancing measures aim to reduce the physical distance between persons, thereby reducing the risks of person-to-person transmission. 

For more information on the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html) and the North Carolina Division of Public Health Coronavirus call line (1-866-462-3821) or (https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/COVID19.html). Jones County Health Department also is a source of information (252-448-9111) or http://www.jonescountyhealth.com/.