GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Gaston County is reporting its first presumptive positive case of the COVID-19 coronavirus, officials announced Wednesday.
The patient, who like other patients is not being publicly identified, is in isolation at home.
“We realize a confirmed case in our community can cause alarm, but this is further proof we need to continue to comply with our social distancing directives and requests,” said Gaston County Department of Health & Human Services Director Chris Dobbins. “As testing increases, we anticipate we will see more positive cases and I have never been more confident in our ability to track contacts and monitor individuals to slow the spread.”
Medical samples taken from the patient will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for confirmation of this presumptive case.
The testing was completed in Mecklenburg County and reported back to Gaston County.
At the time of announcement, North Carolina had at least 66 cases and South Carolina had 47.
RELATED: 3 additional cases of coronavirus in Mecklenburg County: Real-time COVID-19 updates in the Carolinas
Symptoms of coronavirus include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Anyone experiencing these symptoms, are asked to contact their doctor.
Hotline have been established to help residents. Those numbers are:
North Carolina: 866-462-3821
South Carolina: 855-472-3432
Officials across the state are encouraging people to avoid crowds and stay home.
During a meeting Monday, the White House coronavirus task force encouraged no gatherings over ten people.
RELATED: Coronavirus live updates: White House wants people to stay home, avoid groups larger than 10
In North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper has issued a declaration to prevent all gatherings over 100 people.