Nash County working to curb recent coronavirus spikes in rural areas

New data from state health officials indicates North Carolina's rural counties are currently seeing the worst outbreaks of COVID-19.

Officials with the Nash County Health Department said more election-style signs could be popping up, even after Election Day, that reminds people to protect themselves and others by washing your hands, keeping your distance, and wearing a mask. Health officials hope these messages encourage people to not let their guard down.

As the number of coronavirus cases spike in in the states, some of the biggest increases are cropping up in the more rural counties, particularly with older, more high-risk adults.

"It is something to be concerned about," said Trey Wright, deputy health director at the Nash County Health Department.

Wright said the recent uptick in cases is startling for Nash County. He said the virus response in rural areas is difficult to slow down due to limited health care resources.

"In some of our rural places, we have what I like to call 'magnet hospitals,' where other counties may come to us as well," Wright said. "So it may very well strain hospital systems in some of our rural communities."

Health officials say cases spiked in urban areas during the early months of the pandemic. That's a stark contrast to what’s happening now.

"All of us think it's not going to get me ... it's going to get that other," said Nash County resident Carolyn Vick.

WRAL News looked as the percentage of positive cases in three rural counties. Wilson County came in with more than 10 percent of positive cases. Nash County had just over nine percent and Edgecombe County was at 8.7 percent. Those figures were higher than the state average of 7.3 percent.

"People are getting too comfortable," Nash County resident Karen Lynch said of people not wearing masks.

Health officials are hoping to drive home the message to stay safe.

"Trying to do some more promotions with our radio, of course our social media pages, trying to do some billboards, too," Wright said.

Officials with the Nash County Health Department say they are seeing most of the outbreaks among seasonal farm workers as well as residents in long-term care facilities.