The seventh case was confirmed Tuesday evening. According to a press release, the individual is a resident of Haywood County and has recent out of state travel history. Haywood County Public Health nurses are identifying close contacts of this person. 

The eighth and ninth cases were confirmed Wednesday morning. Both people are Haywood County residents, but the eighth case had recent out of state travel history while the ninth case did not. 

To protect individual privacy, no further information will be released. The CDC defines close contact as being within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 infection for 10 minutes or longer and without protection. Based on the information provided by the individuals in close contact, county health officials will assess risks of exposure, determine which if any additional measures are needed such as temperature and symptom checks, quarantine, and/or testing.

“The Haywood County Health Department will trace, test, and contain anyone we identify who was exposed to this virus,” said Haywood County Health Director Patrick Johnson.