Buncombe County COVID-19 Community Update: The Rapid Decline of The Omicron Surge
ASHEVILLE, NC – On February 15, the Department of Health and Human Services and Public Health Director Stacie Saunders posted the weekly Buncombe County COVID-19 Community Update. Stacie Saunders said, “Public health leadership will continue to monitor cases and percent positivity and with emphasis on hospitalizations and deaths. We will continue to work with our area medical providers, community partners, and hospital system to adapt to changes in the pandemic at the local level.” The weekly COVID-19 metrics from the Buncombe County Department of Health & Human Services indicate that:
- There is a decrease in the COVID-19 case rate by 26%, fewer hospitalizations and ICU admissions, and an increase in the death rate. The case rate still remains high at a total of 386 cases per 100,000 people per week.
- Percent positivity is 15.5% compared to 19.6% last week. This is well above the 5% level, indicating that the transmission rate is still high.
- Almost 70% of the eligible population are fully vaccinated and 56% of the fully vaccinated have received boosters. Both values are unchanged from last week.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:
- Vaccines because they reduce the risk of infection, severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths
- Therapeutics because they reduce the likelihood of severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk people.
- Public health measures of vaccinations with boosters, testing, and staying home when not feeling well
Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.
Listen to the full report below: