Johnston Reporter

The Johnston County Health Department is treading uncharted water as it joins other North Carolina county public health departments in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

COVID-19 thrust the Johnston County Health Department and its counterparts to the front lines. North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services Mandy Cohen said the department put in “many months” of preparation.

“Local health departments are truly on the front lines of this crisis and have been working many months to respond,” Cohen said during her April 2 briefing, The Johnston County Report wrote. “We’re all in this together no matter what part of North Carolina you’re in. My heart goes to all of our local public health leaders.”

Johnston County Health Department, which employs approximately 140 full- and part-time workers, is monitoring coronavirus cases involving county residents, checking on their status daily and conducting contact tracing to slow the virus’s spread. It keeps state health authorities abreast of the latest data and serves as the main source for information locally.

Johnston County Health Department Director Marilyn Pearson stresses in press releases for the public to stay at home for others’ safety and their own.

North Carolina has 6,764 confirmed cases and 179 deaths, the state Health and Human Services department reported on April 20. 

The coronavirus presents Johnston County Health Department a challenge it has never faced before.

“This is the kind of all-hands-on-deck situation we’ve never really seen before,” County Commission Chairman Ted Godwin told The Johnston County Report.  “Our law enforcement professionals, firefighters and emergency management personnel are all working hard and working together to help our residents get through this. The county’s public health office has stepped in with expertise, courage and confidence to manage resources and keep county leaders apprised of the situation, which changes rapidly.”

Godwin added that JCHD bears the responsibility of providing timely and accurate information in the face of increased uncertainty, fear and frustration.