October 30, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COVID-19 Burke County Media Briefing
Burke County’s Response to COVID-19
• Burke County is currently at 3095 positive cases. These are cumulative cases for the county. If you want to see a breakdown of the cases please go visit the https://www.burkenc.org/dashboard webpage. The dashboard will not be updated this weekend until late Sunday evening. Daily evening updates will begin again on Monday, November 2.
• Para español llame al 764-9150 y presione el número dos. Si nadie contesta deje un corto mensaje con su nombre y numero de teléfono.
From Burke County Health Department:
Halloween is tomorrow and with cases of close contacts and community spread not slowing, the health department is ASKING residents to only participate in the lower to moderate risk activities for Halloween listed in the State’s guidance. Low to moderate risk activities are listed below so that everyone can have a safe, and healthy Halloween.
Low risk activities:
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance (more than 6 feet apart), with neighbors or friends
• Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance (children should stay within their household groups)
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house
Moderate risk activities:
• Encourage no or low touch trick-or-treating
• Line up individually wrapped goodie bags for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of the driveway or at the edge of a yard)
- When preparing goodie bags please make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags
• Place individual pieces of candy spaced out on a table for families/children to take themselves
• Gently toss candy to trick or treaters from 6 feet away
• Use a “candy chute” or tube to pass along candy from the porch to trick or treaters standing 6 feet away
Reverse trick or treat where children dress in their costumes and stay at their house or
front yard and neighbors walk or drive by to drop off candy
• Having a small group, outdoor, open air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet away
• Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
• Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart
- If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is recommended. The greater the distance the lower the risk
You can read the information at either of these two locations:
1) On the health department FaceBook page and then refer to the September 30 post
2) On Burke County’s website located at www.burkenc.org and scroll to News & Announcements
and select View All to find the Halloween guidance for the September 30th post
We need individuals that are sick with anything to please stay at home until you are well. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK WITH ANY INFECTION INCLUDING COVID-19, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO IS COVID-19 POSITIVE OR ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN TESTED FOR COVID-19 AND WAITING ON TEST RESULTS TO STAY AT HOME AND NOT BE AROUND OTHER PEOPLE FOR ANY REASON.**
Those who are sick staying at home plus everyone wearing face coverings and washing your hands often will slow the spread of this infection within our community. We are asking everyone to do their part whether they believe in this infection or not so others will not get sick. If you are calling just to make an appointment for COVID-19 testing, please call 828-764-9150. If you are getting a test for COVID-19, it is extremely important to give correct names (what name is on your birth certificate, not names you go by) and addresses so positive numbers can be directed and counted in the correct county. This helps to keep the data more accurate for each county. If you have any further questions or need additional information, contact the Burke County Public Information Line at 828-764-9168, Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm. After hours, weekends and holidays, please leave a message and your call will be answered as soon as staff returns. Or you can also visit the Burke County COVID-19 webpage at www.burkenc.org/COVID-19.
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