Rowan News

Rowan County declared a state of emergency after confirming a second COVID-19 positive case on March 20.

Since those initial cases, there have been 37 positive tests in Rowan County as of April 2, according to state data. The state of emergency will allow Rowan County to access emergency funds. 

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 was a college student who attends Livingstone College. The first two individuals confirmed with having the coronavirus were self-isolating and no longer in the area, health officials said to WBTV. But many others in the county now have the virus. 

The Rowan County Health Department notified Livingstone College that one of its students had tested positive, Jimmy Jenkins, Sr., Livingstone College president, told WBTV. 

Several other North Carolina counties have declared a state of emergency to access emergency funds such as Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Caldwell counties. 

“The county is open and operational. Things may be different, but all-in-all, we are open,” county leaders said to WBTV. “I ask that you pray for the county employees."

Livingstone College officials said the student who tested positive has been following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health and Human Services. 

“Please be advised that we are also working with the Rowan County Health Department to determine others who may have been exposed to our student who tested positive,” a message from college officials said. 

The college will be closed down from March 23 to April 14, Jenkins said to WBTV. This will allow the campus to self-quarantine. 

Nina Oliver, Rowan County Health Department director, said to county residents symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. If an individual is experiencing these symptoms, they should call their doctor before visiting a hospital.

Visit Rowan County's website to get updates on the latest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.