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NC coronavirus updates: 16 cases identified statewide

Two cases have been identified in Forsyth County.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Wake County Public Health Division received word from the state lab Friday evening that a Wake County resident has tested presumptive positive for COVID-19. It is the ninth presumptive positive test result in Wake County.

Thursday two people from Forsyth County, two from Mecklenburg, and a person from Johnston County tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19.) This brought the total of positive cases in North Carolina to 15, including a Durham resident who tested positive in another state, according to state health officials

The tests, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, are presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab. All patients are doing well and are in isolation at home. 

Health officials said the couple from Forsyth County was on a cruise where other travelers tested positive. See the county-by-county cases with more details below. There have not been ANY deaths from coronavirus in North Carolina. 

Coronavirus cases: County-by-county

Wake County: 9 cases presumptive positive; State officials say five of those patients in Wake County contracted the virus after attending a conference in Boston. Another patient in Wake County got the virus after visiting a nursing home in Washington state. 

Forsyth County: 2 cases presumptive positive; State officials say a couple attended a cruise where other travelers tested positive. 

Mecklenburg County: 1 case presumptive positive 

Cabarrus County: 1 case presumptive positive

Chatham County: 1 case presumptive positive; A man contracted the virus after traveling to Italy. 

Johnston County: 1 case presumptive positive; Health officials are still investigating this case. 

***One more case is a confirmed positive. The patient is from Durham, but is being held in isolation in another state.***

Governor Roy Cooper announced a state of emergency for North Carolina due to coronavirus during a press conference on Tuesday. 

This means the state will have broader powers and flexible spending in efforts to prevent the virus from spreading. Price gouging laws will also take effect. State officials are also recommending that people over 65 years old, who are in the high-risk category, not attend large gatherings. He also urged companies to allow employees to work from home if at all possible. 

FACTS NOT FEAR

Remember facts, not fear when talking about the coronavirus. You should take the same measures recommended by health leaders to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses. That means washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, and covering coughs and sneezes.

RELATED: Facts Not Fear | What you need to know about the COVID-19 outbreak

WHERE YOU GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS IS IMPORTANT

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about the coronavirus is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. Be careful not to spread misinformation about coronavirus on social media.

For more information visit the CDC OR NCDHHS

NC CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE 

The state also has a special hotline set up where you can call 866-462-3821 for more information on the coronavirus. You can also submit questions online at ncpoisoncontrol.org or select chat to talk with someone about the virus.

You can also text keyword VIRUS to WFMY News 2 at 336-379-5775 to find out more information.

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