THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Lisa Harrison, director of Granville-Vance Public Health (GVPH), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
With 905 known Granville County COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths, and 561 known Vance County cases and 40 deaths reported as of Friday afternoon, Harrison said precautions still need to be taken to stop the spread of the virus.
“It is really critical to drive home the point that wearing a face covering and staying six-feet away from other people is the way we prevent this from spreading,” explained Harrison. “Everyone has the opportunity to help us with these numbers.”
In addressing national news reports of large increases in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past week, Harrison said the trend is similar to the days following Memorial Day weekend when a spike in positive test results was recorded.
“We do see spikes in the numbers when we have weekends like Memorial Day or July 4th where people want to spend time with their family and friends. Wearing a mask, staying six-feet apart and washing hands becomes more challenging,” said Harrison.
According to the CDC, the incubation period for COVID-19 is thought to extend to 14 days, with a median time of four to five days from exposure to onset of symptoms.
While Harrison acknowledged the numbers reported may not reveal the entire picture when considering those who do not seek testing or medical treatment, she is encouraged by the recent increase in testing in the local area.
“I feel good about the amount of testing being done in Vance and Granville County,” Harrison said. “I feel like we are testing symptomatic and asymptomatic. We’re testing contacts and anyone who comes to GVPH and needs a test.”
In addition to increased access to testing, Harrison is encouraged by other positive trends locally including the stabilization of COVID-19 cases in congregate living facilities.
In Granville County, there are currently outbreaks at four congregate living facilities including the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner; Murdoch Development Center in Butner; Central Regional Hospital in Butner; and Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Oxford.
In Vance County, there are currently outbreaks at two congregate living facilities including Kerr Lake Nursing Home and Senior Citizens Home in Henderson.
There was previously an outbreak at Pelican Health in Henderson that is no longer active.
“We’ve worked really closely with our long-term care facilities. They’ve done a really great job of doing regular testing, making sure they are isolating those who have symptoms and have tested positive and minding infection control so they can reduce spread as much as possible while also monitoring the health and wellbeing of residents and staff,” said Harrison. “It’s been a heavy load these last three months; I’m pleased the stabilization does seem to have started.”
As far as community-based cases, or those not connected with a congregate living facility, Harrison is pleased that the majority of Granville and Vance residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been released from isolation.
Qualifications for ‘release from isolation’ status is set by the CDC and is determined by a combination of symptom-based, time-based and test-based strategies (click here to learn more).
As of Friday afternoon, of the 480 total community-based cases in Granville County, 348 have been released from isolation and five are currently hospitalized.
In Vance County, 364 of the 439 community-based cases have been released from isolation. Five individuals in Vance County are currently hospitalized.
“More people have been released from isolation than current numbers of those positive with COVID-19,” Harrison stated. “The majority are in recovery mode and are past the approximate 14-28 day experience.”
Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information and to sign up for daily email updates.
To hear the interview with Harrison in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.