Dare Reports 4 Deaths, 104 New COVID-19 Cases Feb. 1-9
The Dare County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports 104 new cases of COVID-19 the past nine days, Feb. 1-9, as four more local residents have died from the virus, two in the past week and two in late January, bringing the total number of COVID-related deaths in Dare to 12.
The total COVID-19 positive case count in Dare County is 2,661, of which there are 106 active cases among residents of Dare County. Currently, 5 residents are hospitalized due to complications from COVID-19.
The DHHS reported four COVID-related deaths over this past week. Two of the deaths were late reports from the end of January and the other two deaths occurred over the past week.
Dare County COVID-19 data from the past few weeks continues to show some hopeful trends. Specifically, the total number of new positive cases was the lowest last week it has been since the week of November 30th. Additionally, the percent of positive tests to total tests for this past week decreased from 15.1% to 13.4%. While this is good news, it is still concerning to have such a high percent positivity rate. It remains critically important to continue to practice the 3Ws: Wear a face covering, wait 6 ft apart and wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. These are the tools proven to help reduce the spread of the virus.
From Feb. 1 through Feb. 9, there have been 104 new COVID-19 cases. Of these 104 new cases:
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88 (85%) are symptomatic
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90(87%) acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual or individuals who were positive for COVID-19.
COVID-19 Vaccine
As shared over the past couple of weeks, Dare County’s first dose vaccine allocation from the state has been dramatically reduced. The local guaranteed weekly allocation from the state for the next two weeks is 300 doses per week.
The DHHS has submitted a request to the state to host a Mega Vaccine event here in Dare County at the end of February. The DHHS specifically requested 3,000 doses for the event which would enable them to vaccinate all of those 65 and over who are on the current wait list. The DHHS has not yet heard back from the state whether their request for the Mega Vaccine event will be approved. They will likely receive an answer from the state the night of February 18th.
The DHHS continues to ask for everyone’s patience with the vaccine roll out. The department’s ability to vaccinate everyone who wishes to be vaccinated is completely dependent on local vaccine allocation from the state. Over the past five weeks, the DHHS has administered 7,197 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Dare County and 662 second doses.
The vaccine allotment issues are only related to first doses, and the DHHS has not been informed that there are any issues with second dose allotments.
The DHHS continues to accept vaccine registrations for those age 65 and older. The Vaccine Registration Form is available on the county website. Additionally, the DHHS now has the Vaccine Registration Form available in Spanish at a direct link. (Show visit www.darenc.com/RegistroDeVacuna). Information on COVID-19 vaccinations in Dare County can be found at www.darenc.com/covidvaccine. General information on the COVID-19 vaccines can be found on the state’s website www.covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines.
Key Metrics
This past week there were 693 COVID-19 diagnostic tests performed in Dare County. This brings the total number of tests performed since early March to 32,188. There were 93 positive cases between February 1 and February 7. The percent of positive tests to overall tests in Dare County since testing started in early March increased to 8.23%. The percent of positive tests to total tests for the past week decreased to 13.4%. Syndromic surveillance of individuals presenting with COVID like symptoms to the emergency department and urgent care centers, showed activity consistent with the past couple of weeks. These graphs can be found on the dare county website at www.darenc.com/covid19.
“Non-resident” cases are those who do not have a Dare County address listed on their identification card, including visitors, non-resident property owners, individuals living and working in Dare County for the summer, and those who may have recently moved to the area and have not yet been able to update their identification card.
Cloth face masks or coverings are mandatory to be worn in any public spaces where social distancing can’t be maintained in Dare County and throughout North Carolina.
Local and state health officials continue to strongly encourage everyone to follow the 3 Ws – wear a cloth face covering if you will be with other people, wait at least six feet apart and avoid close contact with other people, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
In addition, there is currently a statewide executive order for everyone to stay at home from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. each night, unless they are at work during those hours, which will remain in effect at least through Feb. 28 2021.
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