Dare Opens Vaccinations to Anyone 16 and Over; Reports 42 COVID-19 Cases March 8-16
The Dare County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports that the county’s COVID-19 data continues to trend in the right direction, with 42 new cases March 18-16.
This past weekend, marked the one year anniversary since the DHHS started providing COVID-19 reports and updates in Dare County. While this past year has had its share of challenges, frustrations, disappointments, and loss, the DHHS is now in a position of hope and optimism that we will get on the other side of this pandemic sooner, rather than later, as more and more people are getting vaccinated and we are seeing lower numbers of new cases locally.
The overall number of new COVID-19 cases in Dare County remains dramatically lower than the early part of this year, however, there was a slight increase this past week, with 38 new cases. Additionally, the percent of positive tests to total tests for this past week also increased from 7.5% to 8.13%. Please help us keep the spread of the virus under control by following the 3 Ws: wear a face covering when in public, wait 6 ft apart and wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
Since the last report on 3/8, there have been 42 new COVID-19 cases. Of these 42 new cases:
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33 (79%) are symptomatic
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34 (80%) acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual or individuals who were positive for COVID-19.
The total COVID-19 positive case count in Dare County is 2,853 of which there are 21 active cases among residents of Dare County.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Over the past 10 weeks, the DHHS has provided 10,128 initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and have fully vaccinated 8,340 individuals. Over the next two weeks they will administer an additional 1,970 first doses and 600 second doses.
Based on our recent increases in vaccine allocation from the state, the DHHS is now able to move to Group 5 and accept registrations for anyone, 16 and over, who wishes to be vaccinated. Anyone who wishes to be vaccinated may now go to our website at www.darenc.com/covidvaccine to complete the vaccination request form. Staff will then call you to schedule an appointment, as appointments are available. The DHHS asks for your continued patience as they anticipate it could take 1-2 weeks to get an appointment from the time you register online.
The DHHS is pleased to share that they will be receiving a special allotment of Pfizer vaccine which will enable them to vaccinate individuals aged 16 and over. The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine currently authorized for ages 16 and over. Both the Moderna and J&J vaccines are for ages 18 and over. Anyone who is under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian to accompany you to the vaccine clinic.
If you have registered on the DHHS website for a vaccine and no longer need your appointment, please email [email protected] so they can remove you from the waitlist. Additionally, please only register one time through the website. If you are unsure if your registration was successfully submitted you may call us at 252-475-5008 or send an email at [email protected] to check. This will help the department be as efficient as possible when scheduling appointments.
Key Metrics
This past week there were 467 COVID-19 diagnostic tests reported in Dare County. This brings the total number of tests performed since early March of last year to 34,478. There were 38 positive cases between March 8 and March 14. The percent of positive tests to overall tests in Dare County since testing started in March 2020 remained the same as last week at 8.26%. The percent of positive tests to total tests for the past week increased slightly to 8.13%. Syndromic surveillance of individuals presenting with COVID like symptoms to the emergency department and urgent care centers, showed low levels of activity. 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.
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