Dare County Reports 33 COVID-19 Cases May 3-11
The Dare County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports 33 new cases of COVID-19 May 3-11.
Last week there were 31 new positive cases reported in Dare County. The total COVID-19 positive case count for Dare County is 3,185, of which there are 17 active cases among residents of Dare County.
Since the last report on 5/4, there have been 33 new COVID-19 cases. Of these 33 new cases:
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26 (79%) are symptomatic
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28 (85%) acquired the virus by direct contact with an individual or individuals who were positive for COVID-19.
The virus continues to be spread by direct contact between family members, co-workers, and close friends. We know we can control the spread of the virus by practicing the 3Ws. Please wear a face covering, wait 6 ft apart from others and wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. In addition to the 3Ws, the most effective tool in controlling the spread of this virus is to get your COVID vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. Information on this expanded EUA and the clinical trials involving youth ages 12-15 can be found on the CDC website. The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet tomorrow, May 12th to discuss and vote on a recommendation for the use of this vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 in persons aged 12 years and older. If this recommendation is provided, then the state will authorize vaccine providers in NC to provide the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 12 and older. If you are interested in registering your child aged 12 or older for the Pfizer vaccine please visit the county website at www.darenc.com/covid19.
The DHHS will call and schedule an appointment once full authorizations are in place and details about vaccine dates/times and locations are finalized. Parental permission is required and a legal guardian must accompany any minor youth to the vaccine appointment. First or second dose vaccine appointments can be scheduled with the department online at www.darenc.com/covidvaccine or by calling the COVID call center at 252-475-5008. You may also contact one of the many area pharmacies which are providing COVID vaccinations including: Walgreens, Sunshine Family Pharmacy, Island Pharmacy, Bear Drugs, and Beach Pharmacy.
Over the past four and a half months, the DHHS has provided 15,915 initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and have fully vaccinated 16,253 individuals. In addition to preventing serious illness and death, getting your COVID-19 vaccine prevents you from being quarantined if you are exposed to a person who tests positive for COVID, as long as you remain symptom free. While there have been five breakthrough cases of COVID-19 reported in Dare County, there have been no reports of serious illness or death of anyone in Dare who has been fully vaccinated. Now is a great time to get your vaccine so you can be fully vaccinated before the busy summer season is upon us.
Key Metrics
This past week there were 440 COVID-19 diagnostic tests reported in Dare County. This brings the total number of tests performed since early March of last year to 38,882. There were 31 positive cases between May 3 and May 9. The percent of positive tests to overall tests in Dare County since testing started in March 2020 decreased slightly to 8.2%. The percent of positive tests to total tests for the past week decreased to 7.05%. Syndromic surveillance of individuals presenting with COVID like symptoms to the emergency department and urgent care centers continues to show 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.
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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