Meck County COVID-19 directive extended another month; doesn’t advise schools stay virtual

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Mecklenburg County announced Thursday it will be extending its COVID-19 health directive for another month.

County Health Director Gibbie Harris issued the directive two weeks ago, warning people to stay home, leaving only for essential activities. It was set to expire on Feb. 2.

The county will now keep the directive in place through the end of February -- but the language advising schools to remain virtual will be removed.

Harris said the county does support students returning to the classroom, especially younger children, since COVD-19 metrics are moving in the right direction. She said many of the virus clusters they’ve seen have been tied to sports-related activities.

The directive still advises people to avoid recreational activities in which they may have close contact with others.

“While our metrics have improved over the three weeks that the directive has been in place, the number of cases, hospitalizations and positivity rate remain high,” said Harris. “I am grateful to our community for their commitment to following the directive, but we need to remain vigilant with the prevention measures that are necessary to continue to move our community in the right direction.”

Modifications to the original directive include:

• Individuals should continue to utilize full-virtual options where in-person activity is not required. For schools, the CDC study released earlier this week, indicates that with appropriate safety measures in place schools can be a safe location for students to learn and for school staff to support that learning. Public Health continues to be supportive of in classroom learning as the optimal options for our youth.
• Individuals should avoid recreational activities in which they may have close contact with others. We know how important the ability to be outside is to the mental health of our community. However, recreational activities should only be shared with the individuals you live with.

Individuals should continue to follow the other actions outlined in the original directive:

1. Only leave your home for essential activities and remain at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless an exception as set forth in the Governor’s Executive Order.
2. Avoid leaving your home if you are over 65 or at high-risk for developing serious illness.
3. Avoid any non-essential travel.
4. Avoid gathering with individuals that you do not live with.
5. WEAR, a cloth face covering, WAIT 6 feet apart and avoid close contact, and WASH your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
6. Quarantine and get tested if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.
7. Answer the call and participate in contact tracing to protect against further spread if you receive a call or text from Mecklenburg County Public Health.
8. Get a flu shot and get the get the COVID-19 vaccine, when it is available to you.

Click here for other actions residents should take, according to officials.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

Although the metrics are trending in the right direction, Harris said they are still very high. She has concerns about where the the virus will be going in the community over the next few months, which is why the county is continuing the directive.

Harris also said Mecklenburg County does not have more confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant, but added that where there is one cases, there is going to be more.

As of Thursday evening, officials said Mecklenburg County has given over 12,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccines and over 12,000 second doses.

County-by-county guide: Here’s when, where you can get the COVID-19 vaccine

Cox Media Group