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COVID Update
Macon County has recorded its second death related to COVID-19.
The county public health department said on July 21 that a Macon County resident diagnosed with COVID-19 had died.
The person was over the age of 65 and had underlying health conditions, according to the health department. To protect the family´s privacy, no further information was released.
“We want to express our deepest sympathies to the family and their loved ones during this difficult time,” stated Kathy McGaha, Macon County Health director.
The health department reported 441 active positive COVID cases as of July 27, up from 401 reported on July 20. However, the number of active cases fell from 122 to 94, and the number of recoveries rose from 278 to 345.
The state reported 114,338 laboratory-confirmed cases, 1,790 deaths and 1,169 hospitalizations as of July 27.
The entire state of North Carolina remains under a Safer at Home executive order, currently under phase two with masks required to be worn when social distancing cannot be maintained. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19; however, anyone of any age can become infected with this illness.
Local health officials urged community members to strictly follow the governor’s orders and continue to practice social distancing, as well as safe hygiene measures such as hand washing and frequently cleaning touched objects and surfaces.
Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you believe that you may have COVID-19, call the health department at 828-349-2517. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm, until further notice.
“Our message to the community continues to be: wear a mask, wash your hands, and wait six feet from others,” McGaha said. “Continue to practice social distancing and limit your trip outside your home to help to slow the spread of COVID-19.”