North Carolina’s seven-day average of positive COVID-19 cases has stayed at more than 2,000 for the last three weeks. With winter and various holidays approaching, state health experts are concerned about coronavirus trends shifting further.

To help protect health ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared recommendations on Monday for how residents can safely celebrate.

Dr. Mandy Cohen, the secretary for NCDHHS, said last week during a media briefing the recent case increases can be partially attributed to colder weather, bringing more people indoors. But she also said a vast amount of the coronavirus’ recent spread has been among those in small-group settings who relax their mitigation efforts.

“While the safest thing we can do for our friends, family and loved ones is avoid getting together in-person, especially indoors, I know that runs counter to our holiday traditions,” Cohen said. “I know folks want and need to be together during the holidays. So, if you do decide to host or attend a holiday gathering, there are steps you can take to do it as safely as possible.”

Cohen said the health guidance suggests similar tips to decreasing the risk of exposure to the virus as the recommendations shared for Halloween or other recent holidays.

“First,” she said, “do not attend or host a gathering if you feel sick, have been diagnosed or have been exposed to COVID-19. Second, we still have gathering limits in place. Smaller is better, and outdoors is better than indoors.”

The department’s suggestion also includes people wear cloth face coverings and frequently wash their hands whenever around people who are not in their immediate, day-to-day household. The only time that wouldn’t be the case, said Cohen, is during meals. But even then, the health director suggests people sit as farther apart when masks are off.

“If you have tables,” she said, “have each group of people who live together at their own table and then keep tables at least six feet apart from one another.”

Additionally, the state department’s guidance suggests everyone going to a Thanksgiving gathering should try to receive a screening coronavirus test before traveling. A new piece of guidance from previous holidays this year, health experts now suggest getting such a test, which can alert someone to whether they’re positive to the virus even without symptoms.

Cohen reminded North Carolinians that while useful to checking those who are asymptomatic, screening tests are far from a perfect solution.

“Screening tests can miss infections, particularly if you use rapid tests, and a negative test only gives you information for that one point in time,” she said. “A negative test does not mean you’re going to remain negative.

“But simply put,” Cohen added, “think about getting a test before traveling or before gathering for holiday celebrations.”

Still, the heath director said the best way for people to stay safe and limit possible spread is following the same steps as usual: washing hands, keeping physical distance and, most importantly, wearing a mask to block your germs.

“Let’s all keep our friends, family and loved ones safe this holiday season,” said Cohen. “Remember, it’s not how well you know someone when it comes to wearing a mask. If they don’t live with you, get behind [a] mask.”

The latest guidance from the North Carolina Department and Human Services for Thanksgiving holiday gatherings can be found on the department’s website.

Photo via the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

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