ASHEVILLE, NC – October 16, 2024 – The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 5th shows:
- Almost 2% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2nd lowest level of 6 groups and increased since last week.
- Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1.5% of all visits and a substantial decrease since last week.
Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 2nd was unknown for the week, including:
- The number of viral gene copies in each water sample
- The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample.
Vaccine protection wanes over time and newer variants evolve to evade the body’s defenses. Persons in high-risk groups, ages 65 and older, with chronic health conditions and weakened immune systems, are more likely to develop severe illness. At-risk people can be protected, by staying home when not feeling well and keeping current with vaccination.
Americans can order up to 4 free COVID tests at COVIDtest.gov. I just did.
A new COVID vaccine is available for currently circulating strains. It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The timing is optimal to protect against getting severely ill during the winter surge of respiratory infections. Check with local pharmacies for availability.
Listen to the full report below:
Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, healthyasheville@ashevillefm.org