North Central District Health Department (NCDHD) appreciates the public’s concern regarding the increase in COVID-19 positive cases in Shelby County. As of today, Shelby County has had 160 cases since 3/24/20, 128 of those cases are Hispanic. We have been working diligently to educate the community, monitor positive cases/contacts, and work to mitigate situations as they arise.
On May 5, 2020, NCDHD launched drive-thru testing in all four of our counties (Shelby, Spencer, Henry, and Trimble). Some of the increase in cases may be related to increased testing opportunities, testing more will detect more positive cases. We have had a tremendous turnout and have been able to accommodate everyone who has requested testing. We have been reaching out to our community partners, including Walmart, to make sure there are adequate testing opportunities for our residents; when we transition out of testing to redirect efforts towards contact tracing and slowly resuming clinical services.
By working closely with the Hispanic community, we have received valuable feedback from many influential leaders and stakeholders within the Hispanic community. We were able to identify many of the issues and barriers that are contributing to the increase in positive COVID-19 cases, within this community. Our staff has been working within this community to educate and facilitate behavior changes that will hopefully result in slowing and reducing the spread of this virus.
The things the public can do to help are; follow CDC guidelines and the Governor’s orders that are issued as our economy begins to reopen. Stay home if you are sick, social distance (six feet away or greater), wear a mask, and show compassion to those who are infected with COVID-19. Be understanding of the challenges the Hispanic community is facing. Social determinants of health, economic status, and health disparities are at the core of the issues we are seeing in minority communities. These are systemic issues that did not develop overnight and will not resolve overnight. NCDHD is working diligently to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
If you would like to schedule an appointment for testing or have COVID-19 related questions, please call 502-390-2600.
