Murphy – The number of vaccinations available to combat COVID-19 has surpassed the demand in Cherokee County, and officials want to see that trend reversed.
Health Director David Badger said Monday that the county has only reached about 25 percent vaccinated, but appointments have dropped off in the last few weeks. That’s one reason why the Cherokee County Health Department began offering vaccinations to every local resident ages 18 and older even earlier than today, when Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order was scheduled to take effect statewide.
Badger said anyone making an appointment for their first Moderna vaccine should be able to get in within a week, or even as little as a day or two. He strongly encouraged everyone to take advantage of the shot, as the vaccine is free even to people without health insurance.
“We need to make sure we as a nation get to that herd immunity, whatever that may end up being, as well as locally,” Badger said. “As individuals, we don’t need to put other people at risk.”
Many local residents have expressed frustration with wearing masks, socially distancing and other protocols to limit the spread of COVID-19. As a result, adherence to those guidelines has significantly dropped. Adding to the dilemma is the increased number of gatherings around the Easter holiday and part-time residents returning to Cherokee County for the summer.
“The virus is still in the community, and it probably always will be,” Badger said. “We must continue testing, isolate and quarantine for 10 days. Unfortunately, people aren’t very good about doing that on their own, even though there is no downside to it.”
He also encouraged people to not go to work nor out in public if they feel even slightly under the weather. Some people who came to the health department for testing as just a precaution after a few sniffles were surprised to find out they had the coronavirus.
Badger remains optimistic about schools returning full time, as children are less-consistent spreaders. He said county schools are doing a great job screening teachers and students, which means that are not introducing sick people to class.
To help with access, Cherokee County Transit is offering free transportation anywhere in the county to anyone who would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Call 837-1789 to schedule your trip at least three business days in advance.
From March 30 through Monday, there were 53 positive test results reported for COVID-19 at the health department, 25 who had contact with previously reported cases. While 49 of those testing positive developed symptoms, only two have been hospitalized as a result and they have all been isolated.
Since the pandemic started, the health department has conducted 14,426 tests, 12,038 which were negative, Of the 2,360 positive tests, 2,268 have been released, 32 are deceased and 60 are active.
According to the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services, 39 percent of state residents ages 18 and older have been at least partially vaccinated, while 25 percent have been fully vaccinated. There have been 5,210,271 total vaccine doses administered statewide so far.