COVID-19 cluster found at Jackson child care center
The Jackson County Department of Public Health has identified a COVID-19 cluster at a child care center.
The states defines clusters of COVID-19 in workplace, educational, and other community settings as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period andplausible linkage between cases where cases were present in the same setting during the same time-period that the timing fits with likely timing of exposure; and that there is no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases.
Seven individuals at the Shepherd Early Education and Preschool have tested positive for COVID-19. The investigation is ongoing. All positive individuals are following isolation orders. Symptomatic individuals who test positive will be required to remain in isolation under the following conditions:
1) At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND,
2) At least 24 hours have passed since the last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, AND
3) Symptoms (like cough and shortness of breath) have improved. Asymptomatic individuals who test positive will be required to remain in isolation under the following conditions: 1) At least 10 days have passed since their positive test assuming they have not subsequently developed symptoms since their positive test.
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JCDPH is working to identify any additional close contacts of these individuals. The CDC defines close contact as being within approximately 6 feet of a person with an infection with COVID-19 for 15 cumulative minutes during their period of infectivity. Based on the information provided, county health officials will determine the close contacts’ risk of exposure and which additional measures are needed like quarantine and/or testing.
For information about COVID-19, look to reliable sources like JCDPH, NCDHHS, and the CDC. Visit JCDPH’s website at http://health.jacksonnc.org/covid19. For COVID-19 questions, call the Jackson County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 828-631-HELP.
