Originally published in The Sylva Herald on June 18, 2020.
Nearly empty streets in Sylva as stay at home order goes into effect. Photo by Ruth Dahl
Jackson County COVID-19 cases have more than doubled in the last month. On Tuesday, May 19, health officials reported 25 cases. As of Tuesday of this week (June 16), 61 cases were reported.
That includes six more cases of COVID-19 in full-time residents of Jackson County reported over the past week.
As of Tuesday, the Jackson County Department of Public Health reported 61 cases of full-time residents, two cases in part-time residents and 2,156 tests reported. There were 25 positive tests among out-of-county residents who were tested here, up one from last week. The county has had one reported death from COVID-19.
Last Tuesday, the health department reported 55 cases of full-time residents, two cases in part-time residents and 1,745 tests performed.
The county has 14 cases per 10,000 residents, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS on Tuesday reported 45,853 cases and 1,154 deaths in the state, with 651,421 tests conducted. The virus is present in all 100 North Carolina counties.
Nationwide, cases number 2,104,346 and deaths 116,140 as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
In spite of the rising numbers, summer activities are back on schedule.
Jackson County Director of Public Health Director, Shelley Carraway, has worked closely with Parks and Recreation Director, Rusty Ellis, to help develop a plan for safely opening the Sylva pool.
“The Parks and Recreation Department has taken great care to develop a plan that will allow our community to enjoy the pool while following strict safety measures,” Carraway said. “Their plan includes strict cleaning measures, a cap on the number who can enter the pool area at a time, requirements to bring your own pool furniture, etc.”
Carraway also has provided recommendations to the Chamber of Commerce regarding Concerts on the Creek.
“While the events are a wonderful addition to our town, they encourage mass gatherings in a way that it is virtually impossible to promote social distancing,” she said. “Further, we know COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets which are generated during singing. We strongly recommend waiting on events such as these so we aren’t creating a situation for COVID-19 to spread.”
Carraway was not consulted on the decision to have Fourth of July fireworks.
