Press release from Buncombe County:
As of today, there have been 53,072 total cases of COVID-19 in Buncombe County and the current case rate is 136 per 100,000. This is an increase from last week’s case rate of 94 per 100,000. This coincides with an incubation following Spring Break and Holidays where increased in-person interactions likely occurred. Buncombe County remains in Low Community Level. Current recommendations include staying up-to-date on vaccinations and seek testing if symptoms or exposure. We may see our community level change to medium (yellow) if the case rate continues to rise during these weeks following Easter.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
While there has not been much change in the overall proportion vaccinated amongst the different age groups, each week we do continue to see total number of vaccinations administered increase. Stacie Saunders, Buncombe County Public Health Director, reminds the community to take action to protect against getting and spreading COVID-19 and says, “Be aware of symptoms or exposure to those with COVID-19 and get tested if you have been exposed or feel ill. If you are high risk for severe illness, talk to your provider about COVID treatment options.”All COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, and second boosters (for eligible populations) are available at the Buncombe County Health Department Immunization Clinic at 40 Coxe Ave. This clinic is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and COVID-19 vaccines are available on a walk-in basis. Visit yourspotyourshot.nc.gov for additional vaccine providers near you.
COVID-19 Testing & Treatment
While case rates are declining, it is important continue to stay home and away from others if you are symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19 to keep from spreading it to others. Testing is available in many locations. If you need to be tested for COVID-19, click here to find testing near you. Please visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/treatment for more information on available treatments and providers in our area.The federal government Test to Treat program has expanded to include urgent cares and local pharmacies. Through this program, people are able to get tested and if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them, receive a prescription from a health care provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location. To find local Test to Treat locations, go to https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx.
Ready Team and COVID Updates
Due to low call volume, the Ready Team line at (828) 419-0095 has been phased out, which means that the community should call (828) 250-5000 with questions about COVID or to access other HHS supports. COVID-19 updates to the Board of Commissioners have transitioned to a monthly basis, and the COVID-19 newsletter will follow that schedule. The next COVID-19 newsletter will be released tomorrow, May 4.COVID-19 Community Level
Buncombe County uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Level tool to help monitor COVID-19 by County and inform safety guidelines and prevention. The Buncombe County COVID-19 Community Level status remains low (green), meaning that the community recommendations at this time are to stay up to date on vaccines and get tested if experiencing symptoms or after exposure.Buncombe County Expanded Metrics
Overall, the COVID-19 like illness surveillance continues to show low levels of activity. Buncombe is in Region 6, indicated by the yellow line. Though harder to discern, there is a slight uptick at the tail of this curve indicating slightly more activity in this past week than previous week in almost all regions in the state. This is consistent with the information above and may be impacted by recent spring break travel to and from our county as well as holiday gatherings and events.Today, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will issue a proclamation in recognition of National Nurses Week, which is May 6th through May 12th. This proclamation serves as a reminder of the essential roles that Public Health Nurses play within the healthcare system. From investigating communicable diseases and working to prevent their spread through education, testing, treatment and vaccination; to providing individuals with sexual and reproductive health care that is free from judgment, bias or coercion; to working alongside parents and their children, helping them access information and services that improve their health outcomes. Thank you to all of our Public Health Nurses for their tireless work to improve the health of our community.
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