As discussions about reopening schools to in-person learning continued across the state, Gov. Roy Cooper announced that educators would be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines starting Feb. 24 and other frontline essential workers would be eligible March 10, gradually opening up eligibility to Group 3.
Cherokee County Health Director David Badger said he expected the state to make an announcement about Group 3 soon, but didn’t expect that announcement to come when it did. With just Groups 1 and 2 eligible, the county has appointments booked through mid-April. Those in Group 3 will continue to have to wait once they are eligible.
“It doesn’t mean they are going to get an appointment that day or that week,” Badger said.
Group 3 includes frontline essential workers in education, manufacturing, grocery stores, food and agriculture, government and community services, social work, public safety and transportation.
“That phase has the possibility to be really big,” Badger said.
In Cherokee County, while special events have allowed area educators and some others in Group 3 to get vaccinated earlier than the state’s timeline, there are still many in Group 2 – those ages 65 and older – waiting for vaccinations. Just over 30 percent of Cherokee County’s population is 65 and older, and about 26 percent of that population has gotten their first dose as of Friday.
The county does continue to have flexibility on the state’s timeline depending on local demand. Badger said it is possible that the county may wait to open appointments for Group 3. For comparison, only 16.7 percent of the state’s population is ages 65 and older.
“I think the state has put some forethought into that,” Badger said.
Special events
Cherokee County Schools held its second vaccination clinic last week, getting shots in the arms of 160 more staff members. About 90 were vaccinated at the first clinic in January. Lead nurse Heather Watson said that “way more” teachers got vaccinated for COVID-19 than normally do for the flu.
“It’s great,” Watson said. “I think teachers are willing to do whatever they can to protect themselves and their students.”
In addition to Cherokee County Schools staff, the clinic was also open to staff at Tri-County Community College and The Learning Center, as well as law enforcement officers, Department of Social Service workers and ages 65 and older.
“We tried to be really strategic on those extra doses,” Badger said.
As about 90 staff members who were vaccinated in the first clinic are getting their second doses today, Thursday will be a remote learning day. Watson was anticipating more teachers than there are substitutes will need to call in sick due to their reactions.
Badger is proud that he was able to work with local teachers and thankful that the county has been able to vaccinate more than 10 percent of population as of Monday morning. All of the vaccines received are getting into arms as soon as possible.
“We’re in a good spot overall,” he said.
The county continues to get consistent allocations of vaccines, with extra allocations coming in the form of special events, like the school clinics. Badger said the as the state shifts away from vaccination events, the county’s regular weekly allocation may increase above 300.
Another event organized by Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in conjunction with local health departments will be held this weekend. Badger said the hospital got 600 vaccines with a primary focus to serve those in Groups 1 and 2. The clinic is available by appointment only.
As of Friday, there were 10 students and 3 staff members positive for COVID-19 in Cherokee County Schools. It was the first full week of school with all schools able to welcome students four days a week.
No spread
There’s still no spread of virus in Cherokee County Schools, with all cases originating from outside sources, Watson said. One entire class had to be quarantined at Peachtree Elementary School, while two classrooms had to be quarantined at Ranger Elementary/Middle School for possible exposure, causing high quarantine numbers. None of the positive cases at Ranger were related.
Online appointments
The health department tested an online portal
for scheduling vaccination appointments with the schools clinic. Badger said
it worked well, but there were some aspects that needed adjustments. He hopes to have the online portal available to the public when Group 3 is eligible to make appointments in the county.
Badger said Walgreens, which does have a online portal in place, received a small number of vaccines from the federal government allocation. As of Monday morning, no appointments were available at the Murphy location.