By Shavonne Potts

shavonne.potts@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan County officials have issued a stay-at-home challenge to residents during what is being predicted as a peak for positive COVID-19 cases and health issues.

Rowan Emergency Services Chief Chris Soliz is encouraging everyone to share a message from the county with 10 people through social media, email, phone or other method.

“Tell your friends, co-workers, families to ‘stay home this weekend.’ This is the single most-proven, effective method for fighting this battle. Let’s get serious about it,” Soliz said.

“This is a time of very significant consequence over the weekend and next week,” Soliz said during a meeting with other community leaders.

Soliz said he understands, with the Easter weekend approaching, people may want to attend church and venture into their yard for outdoor or home improvement projects, but he asked that they adhere to Gov. Roy Cooper’s order and stay home.

“We need to help each other to stay safe. Social distancing is the single best strategy,” Soliz told leaders during a morning conference call. “This is not getting any better in the short time. We have to let the public know this needs to be taken seriously and we have to get serious now.”

Of 1,054 COVID-19 tests taken in Rowan, 75 positives have been reported and 979 have been negative. On Thursday, 12 people were hospitalized and 28 people had recovered. Two people have died amid the outbreak. The county public health department has been conducting follow-ups with 33 people.

Health officials said the average age of people who have tested positive is 50.2 years old.

According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, 91 counties have reported 3,651 statewide positive cases with 65 deaths after 47,809 tests. Another 398 people have been hospitalized.

The state reports totals in the morning hours via its website while Rowan County releases its local data each afternoon.