Press release from Buncombe County:
All local COVID-19 indicators continue to improve in Buncombe County. The case rate has dropped to 105 new cases per 100,000 compared to 155 new cases per 100,000 last week. The percent positivity has also dropped to 6.5% from 8.6% last week. There was no change in the death rate as, sadly, five new deaths were added to the dashboard. Hospitalizations have fallen below 5%, and ICU usage has also decreased.
Public health officials continue to encourage those not yet vaccinated to get the doses they need today and emphasize the importance of the booster doses as well. “Seeing our trends continue to improve and cases continue to decrease is a welcomed sign that the Omicron surge is fading,” says Public Health Director Stacie Saunders. “While we continue to see better trends, it is important to remember COVID-19 is still circulating and will be for some time. Now may be the time to get the vaccine dose you are missing.”
COVID-19 vaccines are available at the 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 will be available on a walk-in basis. Visit www.myspotmyshot.nc.gov for additional vaccine providers near you. 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, please visit www.findmytestingplace.nc.gov.
The CDC recently released a tool to help monitor COVID-19 by County and inform safety guidelines and prevention methods based on the county “COVID-19 Community Level,” which is determined by the latest metrics and data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are calculated based on hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Buncombe County is currently at Medium Level, which means that people who are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 continue to assess their personal risk and need for protective measures such as wearing a mask in crowded areas. In the medium level, CDC recommends being up-to-date on all COVID-19 vaccines and testing if exposed or having symptoms.
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