By Connie Leinbach
As of today, Hyde County has zero COVID-19 cases.
Hyde County Health Director Luana Gibbs said in an interview today that the one case Hyde had in the last several days was released from quarantine on Tuesday.
COVID-19 cases are decreasing statewide, she said, and activity at the Health Department has finally started to slow down.
“We don’t have the high demand for vaccines and testing has waned,” she said, noting that January was especially hectic and stressful.
Gov. Roy Cooper gave a hopeful report in a press briefing today.
“With more students in the classroom and millions of people receiving vaccines, there is hope on the horizon,” Cooper said. “But with this virus and its variants continuing to spread, it is too early to let our guard down.”
Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, noted that all the key metrics of the pandemic are declining but with new, more contagious variants in the state, everyone needs to keep their guard up as recent data shows an increase in these more contagious variants among those infected in North Carolina.
North Carolina continues to focus on distributing vaccines quickly and equitably. To date, the state has administered over 3.4 million doses. 25.7 percent of those 18 and up is at least partially vaccinated, and 16.5 percent of those 18 and up have been fully vaccinated.
The state is also seeing progress in its continued efforts to emphasize equity in vaccine distribution. Today, the CDC released a report that puts North Carolina among the top ten states in the nation for equitable vaccine distribution.
People in Group 4 with high-risk medical conditions or who live in certain congregate living settings can start getting vaccines starting today Wednesday (March 17).
The rest of Group 4, which includes other essential workers will become eligible April 7.
Both the Hyde County Health Department and the Ocracoke Health Center are asking that all Hyde citizens may pre-register for COVID-19 vaccines.
The Ocracoke Health Center issued the following information today:
We continue to follow the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines and are vaccinating Groups 1 through 4.
Preregistration will allow us to make your appointment and have vaccines available to
you. There are three ways to preregister:
ONLINE:
PAPER FORM:
You can get a copy at the Ocracoke Health Center or by clicking the above link.
PHONE:
Call the designated phone number for COVID vaccines at 252-489-3622. Leave a message with your name, DOB, and phone number. Someone will call you back.
Multiple messages will delay callback times.
People should continue to protect themselves and those around them by practicing the Three Ws: Wear a mask, wait six feet apart, and wash hands often.
