FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 13, 2021
In the week since the last press release, Haywood County Public Health has received notice of 13 new cases of COVID-19. As of 5 p.m. on July 12, 2021, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has recorded a total of 4,511 cases in Haywood County since the pandemic began.
“For the first time in weeks, we are starting to see case numbers inch back up again. This can be attributed to rising numbers statewide and localized outbreaks that are being monitored. Haywood County Emergency Services is also reporting an uptick in the number of patients they are treating and transporting with COVID-like symptoms over the last few weeks,” said Haywood County Public Health Director Sarah Henderson.
Statewide, we have seen a 15% increase in the number of COVID related hospitalizations in multiple regions across the state. Some of these cases are known to be from the more contagious Delta Variant.
Most new cases are in unvaccinated people. Vaccination is the most important method we have to slow the spread of these new, more contagious variants.
Walk-in vaccinations are available at the health department and at many other locations throughout the county. There will also be mobile vaccination clinics held throughout the summer at festivals and events.
Vaccination clinic hours are available Monday through Friday during normal business hours at the Haywood County Health Department. Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines available now, no appointment is necessary.
For more information on this or other vaccination sites visit: https://myspot.nc.gov/
Citizens who test positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to reach out to friends or family that meet the close contact criteria, and encourage them to self-quarantine and get tested 5-6 days after their exposure to the individual who tested positive. The end goal is to reduce community spread and keep COVID numbers on the downward trend.
Businesses need to be mindful that having quarantined employees return to work too quickly could cause a cluster of cases in the workplace. We ask that employers rely on the honor system and encourage employees who have been exposed to quarantine for the recommended time frame of 14 days from the date of exposure to help reduce potential spread.
