BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – April 4, 2023 – Buncombe County (BC) and the Buncombe County Commissioners recognize National Public Health Week from April 3-9. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.” Cultures shape health. Communities are important for education and are built by its members. The BC Department of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of everyone in the community. The Department protects, prevents and promotes community health. Some of the programs include food and environmental safety, ending health disparities, the COVID-19 pandemic response, clinical services, immunizations, sexually transmitted infections, and working with community partners for health promotion.

The Commissioners released a statement, “Public Health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and recover from the impact of health threats including disease outbreaks (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), natural disasters, and disasters caused by human activity.”

The social determinants of health have a large impact on individual health and population health. These are community characteristics like education, income, housing, transportation, racism, discrimination, violence, access to nutritious food, water & air quality, and language & literacy skills. Contributors to protecting public health include first responders, social workers, scientists and researchers, and physicians and nurses.

The new Buncombe County Public Health Director is Dr Ellis Matheson. She has been the Director of Nursing and Clinical Services Coordinator for BCHHS since 2014. Prior to this, she has been a public health nurse with Henderson and Buncombe Counties since 2000. The Director of Public Health enforces public health laws, oversees the Department’s operations, and organizes efforts to promote public health.

BCHHS Director Stoney Blevins said, “Dr. Matheson has been a steady, robust leader in the agency and our region for many years. We are very fortunate to have this happy transition occur within our own ranks. I truly look forward to the continued growth and contributions of this organization under her leadership.”

Listen to the full report below:

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

ASHEVILLE, NC – April 12, 2023 – The CDC reports that the community level for Buncombe County remains at a low level for the week ending April 3^rd. Every county in North Carolina has been low for the past 3 weeks. About 96% of the counties in the U.S. are at a low level with less than 1% at a high level.

The CDC reports that the community transmission level for Buncombe County is down to a moderate level for the week ending April 2^nd. Most counties in North Carolina are at a moderate level. More than 25% of the counties in the U.S. are at a high level with about 15% at a low level.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on April 1^st indicate:

• Last week’s total cases are down by 15 (17%) from the previous week
• 68% of the total population have received their initial vaccination series.
• 33% of people with their initial vaccination series have had the updated booster.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations has decreased by 5 (30%) and of ICU patients has increased by 2 from last week.

An updated COVID-19 booster is now available for eligible persons 6 months and older. It is more effective at protecting against severe illness and death from the new variants.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster.
• People with any COVID symptoms should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

For a county at a low community level, like Buncombe County, the CDC recommends:

• If you are at high risk for getting sick, wear a high-quality mask in a public indoors space.
• If you plan on being with someone at high risk for getting sick, consider self-testing for COVID-19 infection and wear a high-quality mask when indoors with them.

Listen to the full report below:

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