Mid-Month Covid Update

According to the Haywood County, NC Health Department, we have had 445 positive cases out of 8987 total tests.  288 have now recovered, with 19 deaths.  We have had 70 new cases in the last 7 days and currently have 127 people in isolation and 228 in quarantine.

60 days ago we only had 67 cases, so we have had a large increase in the last 60 days.  The governor has accordingly kept the state in Phase 2 restrictions in place until September 11th.  Phase 2 has allowed restaurants to open for on-premises dining, with strict limits on occupancy.  There are specific requirements for disinfection of common spaces and there must be 6 feet of separation between tables.  Personal care business (barber shops, grooming, massage, and tattoo business) may also open with similar separation between customers as restaurants.  Group gatherings are limited to groups of 10 indoors, and groups of 25 outdoors.  Phase 2 also requires face masks to be worn in public by everyone.

Public playgrounds, bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, museums, bowling alleys, amusement parks, arcades and skating rinks must remain closed.  Visitation at long-term care facilities remains restricted, except for certain compassionate care situations.  Gyms, exercise facilities, fitness studios, martial arts facilities, dance studios and basketball courts remain closed.

Public health officials remind us all about the 3 W”s:

Wear a face covering,

Wash your hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer,

Wait 6 feet apart from other people.

Stay Safe!