NC DHHS issues updated COVID-19 guidance
North Carolina now has community transmission of COVID-19. This means our state will be further increasing its use of population-based community mitigation strategies. The goal of mitigation is to decrease spread of the virus in the population – especially for those who are at highest risk of clinical severity, and our health care workers – so fewer people need medical care at the same time.
In addition, NC DHHS is recommending implementation of strategies to conserve supplies and capacity so health care workers can care for people who need medical attention even during the peak of the outbreak.
The updated guidance documents linked below including several important updates, including:
* Changes in testing recommendations: People with mild symptoms consistent with COVID-19 do NOT need testing and should be instructed to stay at home to recover. Mild symptoms defined as fever and cough without any of the following: shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, altered thinking, cyanosis.
* Updated procedures for testing approval from local health departments
* Updated guidance for discontinuation of isolation
* Updated categories of persons at higher risk for severe illness
Read the updated guidance:
1. Guidance for all NC Providers and Laboratories
2. Interim Guidance for Outpatient Triage Assessment Management
3. Guidance for Patients
