Chatham in ‘high’ transmission level

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As the number of COVID-19 cases rises in some pockets of the country — a surprising summer surge driven in part by new variants — is keeping Chatham County in the “high” transmission level.

There were 181 active cases in the county as of Sunday, a 197% increase over the prior week’s rolling seven-day average. And the county’s test positivity rate has also climbed to 19.6%, a 3.9 point increase from the prior week.

Eighteen of North Carolina’s counties, found in three geographic clusters, are at the “high” transmission level, including Orange, Durham and nearby Harnett. That rate roughly matches the national rate, where 20.7% of all U.S. counties are considered at a high risk of illness and strain on the health care system. The “high” ranking — as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — comes with a number of specific recommendations from the CDC, including:

• wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation

• stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines

• get tested if you have symptoms

• if you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions

“Our recommendations right now are the same as they were when case levels previously reached this point,” said Zachary Horner, the communications specialist for the Chatham County Public Health Department. “The CDC’s guidance is sound and we encourage all Chatham County residents to follow it. At this point, there is no expectation of a mask mandate being put in place, but we continue to support the efficacy of masking as a preventative measure in keeping yourself and others as safe as possible.”

Horner emphasized that vaccines continue to be effective at preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, he said, those who are unvaccinated remain much more likely to die from COVID-19 than those vaccinated and those boosted. The last Respiratory Disease Surveillance Report from the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services says that for the four-week period ending June 25, unvaccinated individuals were 7.9 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than people who had a booster shot. Additionally, those who are unvaccinated make up more than half of COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Across Chatham County, 64% of the total population has had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; 59% are fully vaccinated. And while case counts are up, hospitalizations are down; new admissions have dropped 51% in the last week in Chatham, according to the CDC, even as hospitalizations nationwide ticked up 4.5% in the last week.

An updated report from NCDHHS provides post-vaccination trend data, including:

• Even with highly effective vaccines, the number of post-vaccination cases is expected to rise as virus transmission goes up and as more people are vaccinated

• Although NCDHHS continues to see stable and highly effective protection against hospitalizations and severe outcomes for people who are fully vaccinated, the agency has seen a decrease in vaccine effectiveness against infection with the Delta and Omicron variants.

• Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well severe, hospitalization and death because of the virus.

To mask or not to mask?

It’s not uncommon to see voluntary masking among some individuals in public places across the county or “masks recommended” signs at gatherings, including some local churches.

“There is no shame in wearing a mask wherever you go, whether COVID-19 levels are high or not,” Horner said. “If you are in a store and see someone wearing a mask, whether you are wearing a mask or not, we encourage you to respect their space and keep a safe social distance. Just like people wear seatbelts when they drive for safety and protection, masks provide a level of protection from the virus other things cannot.”

The CCPHD is also recommending residents stay up to date on vaccines if you are 6 months old or older. Chatham’s children can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Horner said; how many doses and how far apart are dependent on which vaccine they receive, but both the Moderna and Pfizer versions of the 6 months to 5 years vaccine are considered safe and effective. (Visit the CDC’s website to see specifics: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccines-children-teens.html.)

The health department is offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments for all ages 6 months and up at its clinic in Siler City from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Those seeking vaccines are encouraged to call ahead at 919-742-5641 to schedule an appointment.

“Getting a vaccine is still encouraged and helpful even if you’ve already had COVID,” Horner said. “I completely understand the urge to say that because you had COVID, you’re safe and set. There are some diseases for which you can get immunity after having that illness. While COVID infection does provide some short-term immunity, it is not as long-lasting as being up-to-date on your vaccination.”

Health experts and authorities have not officially declared COVID-19 an endemic yet, he said.

“But we’re likely heading in that direction. It’s a virus that’s probably going to be around for a long time and we will have to live with. Those who have had symptomatic COVID-19 will tell you that it’s not fun. It’s still a sickness, and for many, it has led to hospitalization and death. We encourage you to do what you can to keep yourself healthy. If you or your child are currently unvaccinated and you’re curious about getting vaccinated, we encourage you to speak to your primary care provider or child’s pediatrician, respectively.”

Monkeypox

Meanwhile, N.C. had four cases of monkeypox, a new viral disease, as of Friday. Monkeypox is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox or has spent significant time in an area where there is monkeypox transmission.

The primary symptoms of monkeypox are fever, headache, other aches, chills, and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on various parts of the body. Some people get a rash first and then other symptoms, while others experience just a rash.

Horner said the state has received 444 doses of Jynneos, a vaccine which can prevent illness or lead to less severe symptoms if given within two weeks after someone is exposed to monkeypox. The doses have already been allocated to seven counties in North Carolina (not including Chatham) and are only available to individuals with known or suspected exposure to monkeypox.