Full Notification

August 5, 2020

The McDowell County Health Department has been notified that 19 additional McDowell County residents have tested positive for novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).   

“Community transmission of COVID-19 continues to occur throughout McDowell County.  Wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing, and washing your hands often are all basic steps everyone can take to help reduce the level of transmission within our community” stated Public Health Director Karen Powell.  We are dedicated and committed to keeping you safe and protecting the community.    McDowell County continues to be strong!  Who are you wearing your mask for?

This brings the total number of positives to 587 in McDowell County. There have been 8,555 people tested, 7,386 negative results and 582 tests are pending results.  Presently, there are 242 individuals in quarantine, 331 out of quarantine and 14 deaths.

Public Health, along with Emergency Management continue to monitor the outbreak at Deer Park Health & Rehab. in McDowell County. As of Wednesday morning, a total of 32 residents and 26 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.  One staff member and two residents remain hospitalized.  Sadly, nine residents at Deer Park have died due to COVID-19.  Emergency Management and Public Health continue to support Deer Park staff and residents with onsite operational and logistical support.

The Health Department is working diligently to get in touch with all contacts of positives to offer testing.  We continue to quarantine all positives for 10 day, per CDC recommendations.  It is critical for Public Health to be ahead of the transmission risk by isolating anyone who has been exposed.  We cannot lose focus of this serious situation, which is to stop the transmission of COVID-19 and to save lives. If an individual would like to be tested, they can call the hotline at (828) 527- 6687. The operator will ask a list of questions and will provide the caller with the appropriate instructions based upon the answers given. The hours of operation for this hotline are 8AM – 8PM, 7 days per week.  If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 and inform the dispatcher that you have symptoms of COVID-19.

Additional statistics related to COVID-19 testing in McDowell County can be found by visiting http://www.mcdowellem.com/covid-19.html

Free COVID-19 testing will be conducted at the following locations via a drive-thru setup:

• McDowell County Health Department; Friday, August 7 from 9-11 a.m.
• McDowell County Health Department; Monday, August 10 from 9-11 a.m.