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In Forsyth County, Testing Improves But Clusters Of COVID-19 Raise Case Count

The Tyson Foods processing plant in Wilkesboro. KERI BROWN/WFDD

Forsyth County reported 32 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, many of which are due to an outbreak at a meat processing facility.

The outbreak at the Tyson meat plant in Wilkesboro is one of several at meat facilities across the state. 

Infectious disease expert Dr. Christopher Ohl says containing the spread is a challenge.

“It's a little bit like playing a game of whack-a-mole, you know, [a] cluster comes up over here, boom, we try to get in and knock it down, and [then a] cluster over here," he says. "And so we're working on that, but it does keep us busy in public health and medicine.”

Ohl did share some good news at a weekly update. He says testing capacity has improved and that numbers of hospital admissions in Forsyth County continue to go down.

As a result, hospitals in the Triad are preparing to conduct elective surgeries once again. Ohl says Wake Forest Baptist Health is able to test all those coming in for procedures as well as women who are going into labor.

For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in North Carolina, visit our Live Updates blog here. WFDD wants to hear your stories — connect with us and let us know what you're experiencing.

Bethany is WFDD's editorial director. She joined the staff in the fall of 2012. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Wake Forest University. Between undergraduate studies and graduate school, Bethany served as the intern to Talk of the Nation at NPR in D.C., participating in live NPR Election Night Coverage, Presidential debate broadcasts, regular Talk of the Nation shows, and helping to plan the inaugural broadcast of ‘Talk of the World.' She enjoys engaging with her interests in books, politics, and art in the interdisciplinary world of public radio. Before becoming editorial director, Bethany was assistant news Director, a reporter and associate producer for WFDD's Triad Arts and Triad Arts Weekend. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bethany enjoys calling the Piedmont home.

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