ASHEVILLE, NC – January 4, 2022 – The CDC reports that the community level for Buncombe County is low for the week ending December 27th. Most of the counties in North Carolina are medium and 11 counties are at a high community level. Most of the counties in the U.S. are at a low level with less than 9% of the counties at a high level. However, cases and hospitalizations are rising. There is a surge of respiratory disease as people spend more time indoors during the winter months and due to an increase in indoor gatherings and travel during the holidays.
The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on December 21st indicate:
- Last week’s total cases are up 12% from the previous week.
- 68% of the total population have received their initial vaccination series.
- 29% of people with their initial vaccination series have had the updated booster.
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:
- You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.
- If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask in a public indoors space and take additional precautions.
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]
More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour