COVID-19 Media Update for April 18

*Total cases updated 4-18-2020 at 1 p.m.

Two new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the 28645 Zip code of Caldwell County. Patients are instructed to remain in isolation until they meet all of the following criteria:

• At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
• Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and,
• At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Health Department and Caldwell UNC Health Care follow patients until they meet the criteria listed above.

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, many Blue Ridge Parkway facilities are closed. This includes all restrooms and portable toilets, visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, and concession operations. Portions of the parkway are also closed. Current closures include:

• Milepost 292-294.5 Road closed near Blowing Rock, including Moses Cone Parking Area and Hwy 221 Bass Lake Parking Lot.
• Milepost 294.5-296.4 Road closed, including Price Park Picnic Area
• Milepost 298.6-305 Road closed through Grandfather Mountain area, including Rough Ridge and Linn Cove Viaduct
• Milepost 305-308 Road closed
• Milepost 316.4 Linville Falls Spur Road closed, including parking at Linville Falls trailheads
• Milepost 334-342 Road closed, including Crabtree Falls Area, near Little Switzerland, NC
• Milepost 355-375.6 Road closed from Mt. Mitchell to Ox Creek, including Craggy Gardens
• Milepost 377.4 Parking areas closed at Craven Gap (Town Mountain Rd) for MST Trail access
• Milepost 384.7 Roadside parking closed at MST Trailheads at US 74A Parkway access ramps
• Milepost 393-469 Road closed from French Broad River Overlook to Southern Terminus of Parkway

For information about Coronavirus, visit www.caldwellcountync.org/coronavirus-covid-19 or call the Caldwell County Health Department Health Information Line at 828-426-8456 or the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at s828-426-8605.  Resources are available in Spanish at www.caldwellcountync.org/coronavirus-covid-19/enfermedades-coronavirus-2019-respuesta-covid-19.