Editor’s note 2:08 p.m. March 17, 2021: As of today, Hyde County has zero active COVID-19 cases, said Luana Gibbs, Hyde County Health director.
By Connie Leinbach
As of Friday, Hyde County Health Department reported one active case of COVID-19 in the entire county.
In addition to that one case, of the 642 total cases to date since the pandemic began last year, 633 have recovered and there have been eight deaths.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services COVID-19 dashboard, Ocracoke has had 94 cases.
Misty Gibbs, Hyde County preparedness coordinator, said every Hyde County citizen can register to receive a vaccine regardless of the grouping timetable, though it’s not an automatic appointment.
“You will get on the waiting list and receive a call back,” she said in an interview last week. “Every person in Hyde County who wants a vaccine needs to call us as soon as possible.”
That number is 252-926-4467.
The health department is still prioritizing the groups but wants to preplan for the next groups.
Group 3 is eligible for vaccines now and eligibility for people with high-risk medical conditions or who live in certain congregate living settings in Group 4 begins Wednesday (March 17).
The rest of Group 4, which includes other essential workers will become eligible April 7.
Gibbs said that the health department does not administer shots to people from out of state.
“North Carolina issued a rule: No shots to out-of-state people unless they own property in the state,” she said.
If you work here or own property here you can get a shot, she said. Just visiting from out of state doesn’t qualify.
The Hyde health department is administering the Moderna vaccines which require two shots. North Carolina recently was authorized to receive the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is only one shot.
“We are very fortunate to now have three tested, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that keep people out of the hospital and prevent death from this virus,” said Health & Human Services Department Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen in a statement last week. “With improving supplies, North Carolina can get more people vaccinated sooner and meet our goals to provide equitable access to vaccinations in every community in the state.”
As of March 15, Hyde County has administered 2,902 shots. Of this total, 975 people are fully vaccinated, and 1,627 are partially vaccinated.
Much information is provided on the NC DHHS website, including, but not limited to the number of cases (by zip code or countywide), deaths, vaccinations, and includes demographics. Go to https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard and you can access the data you wish by clicking on the links to the right of the page.
People should continue to practice the 3 Ws: Wear a face mask; Wait six feet apart; and Wash your hands frequently.
For 24/7 on-call services, dial the Coronavirus Hotline: 1-866-462-3821.
