ASHEVILLE, NC – February 1, 2022 – There is a trend downward to the pre-holiday season COVID-19 community levels. The CDC reports that the community level for Buncombe County is low for the week ending January 23rd. Almost one-half of the counties in North Carolina are low. More than two-thirds of the counties in the U.S. are at a low level with less than 4% of the counties at a high level.
The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on January 21st indicate:
• Last week’s total cases are down 24% from the previous week.
• 68% of the total population have received their initial vaccination series.
• 31% of people with their initial vaccination series have had the updated booster.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations has decreased 29% since last week, and of ICU patients has decreased by 36% from the previous 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. Eligible persons must have the initial vaccination series and be at least 2 months after any prior COVID-19 shots. The CDC advises delaying the booster 3 months for people who recently had COVID or after a positive COVID test if they were asymptomatic.
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 and take additional precautions.
• 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.
Vaccination sites and testing sites can be located through the North Carolina and Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services.
The updated booster shot is available at the Department of Public Health Coxe Avenue vaccination clinic, pharmacies, community health centers and rural health clinics.
Listen to the full report below:
Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]
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