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Who among us thought it would last for an entire year?
Looking to March of 2020, when the strange new reality of the coronavirus pandemic began to grip the Wilmington area, the 12 months of what we ve collectively been through is not something many could ve begun to get their heads around back then.
Carla Turner, assistant director of the New Hanover County Health Department, said she remembers being at work on March 19 when the first case of COVID-19 in New Hanover County was confirmed. (The first case in the three-county area was in Brunswick County on March 13.) When we had our first case, we were all aflutter, Turner said. Never stopping to think we d be having days where we had 100 new cases.
Former New Hanover County Health Director Philip Tarte signs a beam at the now-finished Department of Health and Human Services headquarters. The reasons for Tarte’s departure are unclear. (Port City Daily/Courtesy New Hanover County)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY Phillip Tarte, the director of the New Hanover County Health Department, is no longer employed with the agency, a county spokesperson confirmed Friday. The county’s website lists David Howard previously Tarte’s deputy as interim health director.
Commissioner Rob Zapple said Friday that County Manager Chris Coudriet told commissioners Tarte is no longer employed by New Hanover County.
Tarte was hired in 2016 to lead an agency with 120 employees and a budget of nearly $11.6 million, according to a report at the time by StarNews Media. His starting salary was $130,000. Tarte is from Whiteville and worked as health director of Union County prior to coming to New Hanover.
A new CDC study compared the two types of testing being used to detect COVID-19: rapid tests, which can produce results within 15 minutes, and lab-based send-out (RT-PCR) tests, which can take up to two-to-three days for results.
The CDC reported the rapid test had an 80% accuracy rate among those showing symptoms. That accuracy rate dropped to 41.2% when used to screen those who are asymptomatic compared to the PCR tests, which are nearly 100% accurate.
One in five patients with symptoms and confirmed COVID-19 received a negative rapid test result. Patients with symptoms and a negative rapid test are instructed to get a confirmation PCR test, wear a mask and stay home in a separate room, according to the CDC.
UNCW set to acquire freezers for vaccine storage as inoculations ramp up [Free] portcitydaily.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from portcitydaily.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.