RALEIGH – Fear is a powerful emotion; perhaps the most powerful of them all. We’ve seen that reflected in the cascade of cancellations, travel restrictions, market plunges, and general levels of hysteria regarding the novel corona virus.
So far there are only a handful of cases in the Old North State, but once others start moving toward extraordinary measures in reaction to an unforeseen threat, it becomes harder to not follow their lead. As such, Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency in North Carolina Tuesday.
Cooper held a press conference Tuesday to provide updates on the virus’ spread — five Wake County residents picked up the germ on a trip to Boston — and announce the declaration.
From WECT News 6:
“[…] “I know people are worried about this virus and I want to assure you that the state of North Carolina and your public health directors and emergency responders are working hard,” Cooper said.
As of Tuesday morning, there are seven presumptive cases of coronavirus in North Carolina. The CDC lab will confirm if the patients are positive for COVID-19.
“Right now, we have supplies to test 300 more people,” Cooper said.
Six of those are in Wake County, one in Chatham County. All are in isolation in their homes, according to Chris Kippes, Wake County Public Health Division director. […]
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the five new cases late Monday.
All traveled to Boston in late February to attend a conference for Biogen. There have been several COVID-19 cases from around the country tied to the conference, the NCDHHS said.
All five people are being isolated in their homes.
Earlier on Monday, health officials in Indiana said a person who tested positive for COVID-19 on March 8 was in Wake and Durham counties between March 2-6. That person was symptomatic while in North Carolina.
That person on March 1 flew from Indiana to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Then, on March 2, the patient began to show signs of upper respiratory symptoms while working at Biogen in Research Triangle Park. The patient then drove back to Indiana on March 6. […]”
So, whether you’re skeptical, or unnerved; wash your hands and look forward to the day the world becomes acclimated to this new virus such that unprecedented economic disruptions aren’t waiting around every corner.
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