FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Cumberland County Department of Public Health and Library system will distribute 6,750 N95 masks to residents beginning today.  Five N95 masks will be distributed per person in each household, while supplies last.  

The distribution of masks will take place at the Department of Public Health located at 1225 Ramsey Street in Fayetteville and all eight Cumberland County Library locations during regular business hours. Library locations can be found by visiting their website cumberlandcountync.gov/library or calling 910-483-7727. Masks have been supplied by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Approximately 25,000 more masks have been distributed to other groups throughout Cumberland County to include 8,000 for Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation locations and 1,000 masks each for Spring Lake and Hope Mills Recreations sites.

“Layering levels of protection continues to be important as the especially contagious Omicron variant continues to spread,” said Dr. Jennifer Green, Cumberland County Health Director. “Wearing a high-quality mask indoors, such as an N95, getting vaccinated, and boosted when eligible will help to slow community spread.”

When it fits well and is worn consistently, an N95 offers the highest level of protection against the spread of COVID-19 as compared to other masks. For more tips for wearing your N95 mask visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/information/individuals-families-and-communities/face-coverings-and-masks

Cumberland County’s COVID-19 positive test rate is at 40.5% as of Jan. 24. The statewide average positive rate of 34.3%. The Health Department reports 6,051 positive COVID-19 cases reported in the last seven days. Cumberland County is currently an area of high transmission rates for COVID-19.

There have been 66,734 cases and 513 deaths in Cumberland County since the onset of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Omicron Variant is up to three times more infectious than the Delta Variant. Early data suggests hospitalization and death rates are lower for vaccinated people. Boosters help improve protection.

In Cumberland County, a total of 231,010 individuals have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 204,396 individuals have received two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or the one-dose J & J vaccine. A total of 51,432 individuals have received a booster or additional dose.

Isolation Guidance Updated
In accordance with the CDC, the Cumberland County Department of Public Health has updated isolation and quarantine guidelines for the general public. In general, use the “5 and 5” strategy.

• 5 days of isolation or quarantine
• 5 days of strict masking with a well-fitting mask.

An individual who tests positive for COVID-19 should follow the CDC guidance for isolation, regardless of vaccination status or symptoms. Isolation guidance follows:

• Stay home for five days from onset of symptoms or test day, if asymptomatic.
• If there are no symptoms or symptoms improve after five days, isolation can end.
• Stay home until a fever improves (without medication)
• In case of a positive test, isolate until day 10.
• A test is not required to end isolation.

Days 6 – 10

• Strictly wear a well-fitting mask for an additional five days
• Avoid travel
• Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
• Avoid eating around others.

Updated isolation and quarantine guidance does not apply to specific subpopulations such as healthcare workers, long term care, congregate settings, childcare, severely ill or immunocompromised.

Testing Guidance Updated
If you are exposed to an individual with COVID-19, get tested at least five days after the last close contact. Exposure is defined as being within six feet for a total of 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period, beginning two days prior to symptom onset.

Cumberland County residents can order four at-home test kits by visiting https://www.covidtests.gov/ and requesting the tests.  Rapid at-home test kits and PCR at-home test kits are currently not available at the Health Department.

Vaccination Guidance
Everyone age 5 and older should receive a primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated. Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary shot and a booster shot. Everyone ages 12 and older  should get a booster dose at least 5 months after the last dose of Moderna or Pfizer or 2 months after their single dose of J&J. .Mixing and matching vaccines is allowed for boosters (Pfizer or Moderna). To stay up to date with your vaccines and for guidance about COVID-19 vaccines, go to cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.

The Health Department has expanded testing to Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are more than 40 test sites in Cumberland County. Find a site at

covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-covid-19-tests.

The Health Department is located at 1235 Ramsey St., Fayetteville. For more information go to www.cumberlandcountync.gov/public-health or call 910-433-3600.