More Than 100 People Tested at Drive-thru Testing Event

*Updated 6-3-20

Today, 116 people were tested at the Caldwell County Health Department’s first Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing event. Many of the people tested today reported being asymptomatic, but having been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. People can test positive without having any symptoms. Asymptomatic people who test positive are instructed to quarantine for 10 days.  

Twelve COVID-19 positive cases were reported, four in 28638, four in 28630, and four in 28645. Ninety-one patients are now counted as recovered. To be considered recovered and be eligible to return to work, patients must meet all of the following criteria:

• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared
• At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
• Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)                                                                                                                                                                            

Additional Information

• FastMed, located at 825 Blowing Rock Boulevard in Lenoir, is now conducting COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing. To ensure testing eligibility, please complete the self-assessment tool on their website www.fastmed.com/urgent-care-centers/lenoir-nc-walk-in-clinic/.
• Caldwell County Schools Drive-thru Summer Meals will be held on Tuesdays beginning June 9 and continuing through August 4. Pickup times are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. at Gamewell, Granite Falls, and Valmead Elementary Schools. Meals are available for all children and include a week of breakfast and lunch meals for each child. Distribution will not be held on Tuesday, June 30, in recognition of the July 4^th holiday.

For local 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 828-426-8605. Resources are available in Spanish at http://www.caldwellcountync.org/coronavirus-covid-19/enfermedades-coronavirus-2019-respuesta-covid-19.

Photo Caption 1: Cars lined up waiting for COVID-19 testing at the Caldwell County Health Department’s Drive-Thru Testing Event on Wednesday.

Photo Caption 2: Caldwell County Health Department nurses and scribes set up under tents and wait for the first people to arrive.

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