Community News

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – February 12, 2025 – There is a surge of respiratory viral infections, like COVID-19, influenza (the flu) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), during the cold winter months and this is taking place around here in western North Carolina.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on February 1^st shows:  

• Less than 2% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2^nd lowest level of 6 groups, a decrease since last week.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, representing a little more than 1% of all visits, a moderate decrease since last week.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID, flu and RSV outbreaks. For the week ending on February 1^st, the COVID-19 wastewater viral activity level for the state is high. The Buncombe & Henderson counties COVID wastewater data for the week ending on January 25^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is at an orange level representing the 2^nd highest level of 5 groups, currently between the 60^th and 80^th percentile relative to the past peak level measured at the same site.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample has decreased from the previous week, at -9% to 0%, the smallest level of 2 groups for a negative rate of change.

During the week ending on February 1^st, viral activity levels in the North Carolina wastewater were very high for influenza A and low for RSV. Both were very high in Buncombe County.

The CDC’s weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending on February 1^st indicates that levels are either high or very high in 43 of 47 continental states (with 1 not reporting), particularly in the South, Northeast and the West. North Carolina is at a very high level.

The CDC reports that the weekly percent of positive tests for RSV for the week ending on February 1^st is below 5% in Region 4 (which are the states in the southeast U.S. including North Carolina). It had peaked to more than 15% around Christmas.

The weekly North Carolina Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard for the week ending on February 1^st shows:

• Almost 20% of all emergency room patients had symptoms of a respiratory viral illness, an increase from last week.
• Influenza-like symptoms represented more than one-half of these patients
• There were more than 28 hundred hospital admissions from the emergency department in North Carolina for people who had a diagnosis, or symptoms, of respiratory viral infection, an increase since last week. More patients were admitted with the flu than other respiratory disease.

The COVID pandemic has made us aware that we can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses by following specific public health measures, like vaccination, washing hands, staying home when ill, and covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Therefore, we should take these steps to protect at-risk groups who are susceptible to getting severely ill, children younger than 5, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions like heart and lung disease, and the immunocompromised.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – February 5, 2025 – There is a surge of respiratory viral infections, like COVID-19, influenza (the flu) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), during the cold winter months and this is taking place around here in western North Carolina.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on January 25^th shows:  

• Less than 2% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2^nd lowest level of 6 groups, an increase since last week.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, representing a little more than 1% of all visits, and are stable since last week.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID, flu and RSV outbreaks. For the week ending on January 25^th, the COVID-19 wastewater viral activity level for the state is high. The Buncombe & Henderson counties COVID wastewater data for the week ending on January 22^nd shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is at a red level representing the highest level of 5 groups, currently between the 80^th and 100^th percentile relative to the past peak level measured at the same site.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample has increased from the previous week, at 10% to 99%, the middle level of 3 groups for a positive rate of change.

During the week ending on January 25^th, viral activity levels in the North Carolina wastewater were very high for influenza A and high for RSV. Both were very high in Buncombe County.

The CDC’s weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending on January 25^th indicates that levels are either high or very high in 41 of 47 continental states (with 1 not reporting), particularly in the South, Northeast, Midwest and the West. North Carolina is at a very high level.

The CDC reports that the weekly percent of positive tests for RSV for the week ending on January 25^th is just above 8% in North Carolina and below 10% in Region 4 (which are the states in the southeast U.S. including North Carolina). The percent of positive tests has decreased in Region 4 to below 10% after the week of January 4^th. It had peaked at more than 15% around Christmas.

The weekly North Carolina Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard for the week ending on January 25^th shows:

• 18% of all emergency room patients had symptoms of a respiratory viral illness, an increase from the previous week.
• Influenza-like symptoms represented more than one-half of these patients, up almost 33% since last week
• There were almost 24 hundred hospital admissions from the emergency department in North Carolina for people who had a diagnosis, or symptoms, of respiratory viral infection, an increase since last week. More patients were admitted with the flu than other respiratory disease.
• ER visits and hospital admissions are at the highest levels since last winter.

There is a surge of respiratory viral infections during the winter months, as people spend more time indoors because it is cold outside and due to an increase in indoor gatherings and travel during the holiday season. However, the COVID pandemic has made us aware that we can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses by following specific public health measures, getting vaccinated, washing hands, staying home if feeling ill, and covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Other measures include cleaning frequently touched surfaces (like doorknobs and handles) and avoiding people who are sick. Therefore, we should take these steps to protect at-risk groups who are susceptible to getting severely ill, like children younger than 5, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions like heart and lung disease, and the immunocompromised.

On January 23^rd, Mission Hospital and its health care system has begun temporary visitor restrictions because of an increase in influenza-like illness in the state and western North Carolina. The restriction will remain in place until the flu activity decreases. To reduce the spread of the flu, all Mission Health hospitals and clinics in western North Carolina will only allow 2 visitors per patient and children under 13 will not be allowed to visit.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – January 23, 2025 – According to a Mission Hospital press release on January 23^rd, the health care system has begun temporary visitor restrictions because of an increase in influenza-like illness in the state and western North Carolina. The restriction will remain in place until the flu activity decreases.

The flu is a very contagious respiratory disease that is caused by the influenza virus. The illness can be mild to severe and sometimes lead to death. Infected people can have a runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, muscle aches, headaches and tiredness. Although, they may not have all these symptoms. Children or adults with severe symptoms should seek medical attention right away.

According to the CDC’s last weekly report ending on January 11^th, flu levels were high in North Carolina. There have been 36 deaths related to the flu in North Carolina in January according to the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

To reduce the spread of the flu, all Mission Health hospitals and clinics in western North Carolina will only allow 2 visitors per patient and children under 13 will not be allowed to visit.

Mission Health and the CDC have encouraged everyone to be vaccinated for the flu this year including children 6 months of age and older. They recommend that people stay home if they are sick with symptoms of the flu and that they should frequently wash or sanitize their hands. Mission Health has many hand-sanitizing stations throughout their facilities.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

 

ASHEVILLE, NC – January 29, 2025 – There is a surge of respiratory viral infections, like COVID-19, influenza (the flu) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), during the cold winter months and this is taking place around here in western North Carolina.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard shows no new data since last week’s report, for the week ending on January 11^th, including   

• The number of deaths in North Carolina due to COVID
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID, flu and RSV outbreaks. For the week ending on January 18^th, the COVID-19 wastewater viral activity level for the state is high. The Buncombe & Henderson counties COVID wastewater data for the week ending on January 15^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is at a red level representing the highest level of 5 groups, currently between the 80^th and 100^th percentile relative to the past peak level measured at the same site.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample was not reported this week.

During the week ending on January 18^th, viral activity levels in the North Carolina wastewater were very high for influenza A and high for RSV. Both were very high in Buncombe County.

The CDC’s weekly flu surveillance report for the week shows no new data since last week’s report. For the week ending on January 11^th, levels were high or very high in 42 of the 48 continental states, particularly in the South and the West. North Carolina was at a high level.

The CDC reports that the weekly percent of positive tests for RSV for the week ending on January 11^th is almost 13% in North Carolina and below 10% in Region 4 (which are the states in the southeast U.S. including North Carolina). Region 4 had climbed to more than 10% from mid-November to the week of January 4^th, reaching a peak of more than 15% around Christmas, the highest levels since last winter.

The weekly North Carolina Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard for the week ending on January 18^th shows:

• 14% of all emergency room patients had symptoms of a respiratory viral illness, no change from the previous week.
• Influenza-like symptoms represented about one-half of these patients, up 25% since last week
• There were more than 2 thousand hospital admissions from the emergency department in North Carolina for people who had a diagnosis, or symptoms, of respiratory viral infection, fewer than last week.
• ER visits and hospital admissions are at the highest levels since last winter.

There is a surge of respiratory viral infections during the cold winter months, as people spend more time indoors and due to an increase in indoor gatherings and travel during the holiday season. However, the COVID pandemic has made us aware that we can take steps to reduce spreading respiratory viruses. Therefore, we must protect at-risk groups who are susceptible to getting severely ill, like children younger than 5, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions like heart and lung disease, and the immunocompromised.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

By Kevin Eddings

K.P. Whaley sat down with David Forbes, editor and founder of the Asheville Blade, to discuss the reaction to the Asheville City Council meeting that took place on Jan. 17. Tensions boiled over as residents voiced outrage over the city’s efforts on the housing crisis post Helene. Asheville City Council approved a $2.5 million to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce fueling heavy criticism from Asheville Blade editor, David Forbes.

Asheville City Council isn’t prioritizing displaced families post Helene, according to Forbes. “In the same meeting that the city of Asheville passed a $2.5 million to a front group for the chamber of commerce to practically harass homeless people, you had people coming to the podium in absolute tears shouting about the reality they’re going through,” Forbes said.

Asheville post Helene has 3,000 people worried about where they will live when the FEMA housing assistance ends.

The Norwell’s family of Swannanoa expressed at the meeting that they’re running out of vouchers, and they fear for what could be them living in tents in the future.

The Asheville government only allocated around $100,000 for aid towards the housing crisis, according to Forbes. While the local government sits on $225 million that was given to the city for housing relief which the city stated they won’t be used until the summer adding that there will be a lengthy process for it. According to Forbes, the priority of the council as of right now is to see if Asheville can recover the costs. 

“If you are a local wanting for aid that won’t be their priority,” Forbes said, expressing her outrage.

According to Forbes, people are going to be homeless in the near future due to Helene and the housing crises post Helene and that Asheville’s local government is more worried about passing a contract that would “police the homeless while 3,000 people in Asheville are on the break of homelessness with no help being given from the city to combat the problem.” She indicated that City officials like Mayor Esther Manheimer and council members Maggie Ullman and Bo Hess have repeatedly questioned FEMA representatives to see if funds could be diverted from helping homeowners and renters to instead help commercial property owners. “This is a significant sign of conflict of interest for the working class people of Asheville,” she said.

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour