Tuesday, the Wayne County Health Department reported a COVID-19 cluster to NCDHHS involving positive COVID-19 staff members at the Health Department. NCDHHS defines a COVID-19 cluster as, “a minimum of five positive cases identified through a positive molecular (PCR) or positive antigen test result with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases.” Contact tracing allows the Health Department to track cases in schools, businesses, etc., and a cluster is opened when five or more cases are linked to a specific facility. All employees who have tested positive are quarantined at home per CDC guidance. All staff and visitors will continue to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the Health Department.

None of the individuals who have tested positive were involved with the free COVID-19 testing site at the Health Department. Free COVID-19 testing will still be taking place Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 301 N. Herman St. in Goldsboro.

Wayne County, like many areas of North Carolina, has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases in the last week. The county urges residents to practice the three Ws–Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth, Wait six feet apart & avoid close contact, and Wash your hands! Together, we can help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Wayne County.