County reports zero new cases

  • Cherokee County Health Department officials Alicea Mealer and Rebecca Hand (from left) test a critical infrastructure worker for COVID-19.
    Cherokee County Health Department officials Alicea Mealer and Rebecca Hand (from left) test a critical infrastructure worker for COVID-19.

        Murphy – For the first time since mid-March, Cherokee County went a week without any new COVID-19 cases.
        Health Director David Badger said that’s an encouraging sign, especially since they have continued to increase testing. Out of the 968 people tested for the coronavirus in the county since March, 155 people were tested last week.
        “To me, it’s a positive reminder that everybody’s hard work has paid off,” Badger said.
        The state’s goal is to test 5,000-7,000 people per day. Officials are pushing each county to test at least 5 percent of their population each month.
        Badger would like to see 300 people in Cherokee County tested each week. He said the commercial labs are providing tests as needed, and anyone who has a desire to be tested should discuss it with their health-care provider.
        As restrictions loosen, Badger reminded everyone to continue doing good work on keeping the community healthy.
        Local residents are reminded to continue practicing measures like washing their hands, staying home if sick and social distancing. In public places where social distancing is difficult, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends wearing a cloth face covering. The state’s department of health and human services is promoting the three Ws – wear a face covering, wait 6 feet apart and wash hands often for at least 20 seconds.
        As of Monday, Cherokee County had 27 total COVID-19 positive cases since March. Of those, 22 have recovered and only one has passed away.
        Two of the county’s cases were residents of another state. Of the 20 local residents recorded on the state's website, 12 live in the 28906 zip code (Murphy), four in 28905 (Marble), three in 28902 (Brasstown) and one in 28901 (Andrews).
        According to the CDC, symptoms for the coronavirus range from mild to severe and may appear up to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of taste or smell.