Buncombe County COVID-19 Community Update: COVID-19 Hospitalizations & ICU Admissions Have Increased
ASHEVILLE, NC – On January 25, the Department of Health and Human Services and Public Health Director Stacie Saunders posted the weekly Buncombe County COVID-19 Community Update. She said that “though our case rate is showing a decline right now, our other indicators continue to increase.”
- There is a decrease in the COVID-19 case rate by 21% this week. Last week it was up by 26%.
- There is an increase in hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths this week.
- Percent positivity is rising to more than 25%, well above the 5% level, indicative of a high transmission rate.
- COVID-19 patients comprise 15% of inpatient hospital beds including 33% of ICU beds
- 68% of the eligible population are fully vaccinated; almost 55% of the fully vaccinated have received boosters.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:
- Get vaccinated and boosters when eligible. Boosters are shown to provide significant protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death
- Get tested if exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms
- Stay at home if you are not feeling well, even with a negative Covid test
- Wear a mask when in public indoor spaces
Vaccination sites, testing sites, free home testing kits, and free high-quality KN95 face masks can be located through the Department of Health and Human Services. The free kits and face masks are available as long as supplies last. A new federal government program allows every home in the U.S. to order 4 free at-home Covid tests. To make a request, go to www.Covidtests.gov. Free N95 masks are available at pharmacies and community health care centers through another federal program.