News Flash

For Immediate Release

02/05/2021    

COVID-19 Information

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVID-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Vaccine Information

Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVIDvaccine
Onsite at vaccine clinics: Text rocopod to 888777 or tune into 88.7 FM for updates

Rowan County COVID-19 Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

Staying Healthy While You Wait on Your Spot for a COVID-19 Vaccine

This time has been quite a struggle for Rowan County community members as we fight against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us are feeling burnt out or “COVID fatigued” after nearly a year of dealing with the pandemic. We finally have hope in the form of the COVID-19 vaccine and we may begin to have a more positive outlook on the state of the pandemic. However, experts warn that we should not ease caution or let our guard down just yet. 

It is even more important to prepare yourself and your family by taking actions now to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and to promote your health. 

Re-commit to practicing the 3W’s

Mask-wearing and limiting person-to-person interaction is key to reducing community spread, and this includes anytime you are indoors where the chance of airborne transmission is highest. COVID-19 has a long incubation period of 2 to 14 days, and people are most contagious before they even show symptoms. You should be wearing a mask when you are around anyone outside of your household. Yes – this includes other family members, too! So many people think, “Oh just this once won’t matter;” but then we continue to see the spread of COVID-19. 

Please continue to wash your hands. While hand sanitizer can be helpful, using soap and water should still be your go-to for keeping your hands clean. Try not to touch your face, especially your nose, mouth, and eyes, because this is where the virus is able to gain access to your body.  

Get other vaccinations

Many of us are excited and ready to take the COVID-19 shot. However, the state is still sending extremely limited supplies to Rowan County. As you wait for your turn to get a COVID-19 shot, consider other vaccines that can help prevent you from getting sick. With the weather getting much colder, we are now spending more time indoors where it’s easier to spread viruses, like the flu and COVID-19. Our goal is to encourage all community members to take steps to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. This includes doing everything possible to reduce the spread of the flu. The flu shot is your best defense in doing that. Not only does the flu shot dramatically decrease your chance of getting the flu, but it may also make your symptoms less severe.

COVID-19 and the inflammation response it causes affects the systems and organs in your body, and can be especially damaging to your lungs. If you develop a cough or respiratory issues from a cold or the flu, this can put extra strain on your breathing and lung capacity. Flu shots are available at many of our local pharmacies and at your primary care provider’s office.  

Boosting your Immunity and Supporting your Community

When it comes to staying healthy, it all comes down to the basics and taking care of one’s self. Practicing healthy habits, such as getting plenty of sleep and managing stress, as well as preventive care, such as frequently washing your hands, protects your body when confronted with incoming threats – whether it’s the common cold, the flu, and even COVID-19. Just a few lifestyle changes can better prepare your body and immune system. 

Stay healthy and well: 

• Get your flu vaccine. And encourage those around you to do the same.
• Sleep. Adults need at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
• Stay active. Get 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. (This includes walking, running, biking, swimming and even indoor exercises that elevate your heart rate.)
• Eat healthy. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Eat less sugar, salt, and processed foods.
• Wash your hands frequently or at least use hand sanitizer, if soap and water isn’t available. 
• Cover your cough and sneeze. Stop the spread of germs by coughing and sneezing into your elbow or into a tissue.
• Avoid people who are sick. Keep your distance if someone close to you is showing symptoms. Chances are that the steps you take to socially distance during COVID-19 can also help avoid other illnesses.
• Wear a mask. This not only prevents the spread of COVID-19, it can also do double duty by preventing the spread of the flu virus. 

Rowan County Public Health’s number one priority is to ensure that all Rowan County citizens that want a vaccine can receive it, while also balancing vaccine supply and abiding by the phased approach provided to us by NCDHHS.

###

Contact:
Amy Smith
704-216-8859
amy.smith@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - February 5, 2021 (PDF)