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Update: There were no new cases of COVID-19 in Bladen County as of today, Friday, April 3, 2020, at 5:16 p.m, according to Dr. Terri Duncan, Bladen County Health & Human Services Director. BladenOnline.com asked more questions pertaining to the person in Bladen County that did test positive for Coronavirus. At this time, we are waiting for a response to our questions. Officials urge Bladen County residents to stay home, practice social distancing.

Orginal article:

The Bladen County Health Department has reported the first positive case of COVID-19 in Bladen County. The individual requires hospitalization at this time and is doing well.

The positive individual had traveled to another state, a known hotspot for COVID-19. The Health Department will work to identify close contacts, which the Center for Disease Control defines as being within approximately 6 feet of a person with a COVID-19 infection for 10 minutes or longer. Based on the information provided, county public health officials will assess risks of exposure, and determine which, if any, additional measures are needed such as temperature and symptom checks, quarantine and/or testing upon discharge.

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, North Carolinians should take the same measures that health care providers recommend to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses:

Social distancing (e.g. avoiding crowds, self-quarantining, etc.)
Washing hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with people who are ill
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw it away, and then wash your hands
Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources such as the Bladen County Public Health, CDC, and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, and other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call your health care provider, or the Health Department call center. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, until further notice. Individuals may also call 2-1-1. This NCDHHS call center is available 24/7, in English and Spanish.