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Subcontractor at WCU tests positive for COVID-19

Subcontractor at WCU tests positive for COVID-19

The Jackson County Department of Public Health (JCDPH) has been notified of a positive case of COVID19 in a subcontractor working on a construction site at Western Carolina University’s campus.

The subcontractor is not a Jackson County resident and is currently isolating in their home county. JCDPH is coordinating with the positive case’s county health department and worksite to complete contact tracing. If contact tracing involves a Jackson County resident, JCDPH will work with the positive case’s health department to reach out to the Jackson County resident, assess their risk, and determine if additional steps need to be taken.

Due to their work environment, JCDPH staff anticipate there to be a potential for additional exposure among those who are not easily identifiable. With this information in mind, JCDPH urges anyone who was on a construction site at WCU’s campus between April 15 and April 22 and is experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) to isolate themselves immediately and call their healthcare provider.

It is vitally important that all community members take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like JCDPH, NCDHHS, and CDC. Visit JCDPH’s website at http://health.jacksonnc.org/covid19 for local updates. For other COVID-19 questions, call the Jackson County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 828.631.HELP or JCDPH at 828.586.8994.