Wake County Board Chairman Greg Ford declares a State of Emergency in response to COVID-19. | Courtesy Photo
Wake County Board Chairman Greg Ford declares a State of Emergency in response to COVID-19. | Courtesy Photo
As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise, Wake County officials changed their strategy to reduce testing.
The new community-based mitigation strategy means that if an individual starts to feel COVID-19 symptoms, but is not part of a high-risk group or has not knowingly come into contact with a COVID-19 positive person, they are ordered to self-isolate for seven days rather than get immediate testing. If the symptoms are mild, no testing is needed.
Wake County is saving tests for those who fall into one of the high-risk categories. Such as, those who are 65 or older, have underlying health concerns, those who have traveled recently and health care workers.
While the county has changed its testing philosophy, community members continue to follow stay-at-home orders to stay safe and avoid coming in contact with or spreading COVID-19.
In late March, Wake County issued its stay-at-home order and restrictions on businesses. The order was similar to ones issued by lawmakers across the country, such as social-distancing rules, curtailing business operations.
Wake County has one of North Carolina's highest totals of COVID-19 cases. As of April 20, the state Health and Human Services department reported 599 positive tests and four deaths.
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