News Flash

For Immediate Release

08/11/2021    

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
Follow Us: www.facebook.com/rowancountyhealth 

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

New formal recommendation by Rowan County Board of Health and Rowan County Health Director

With school beginning today in person and with students going back to the normal 5-day-school week, there is a lot of concern on where our county may be in the next few weeks, as it relates to COVID.  Currently, our positive COVID cases are higher at this point than they were at the start of school last year. Realizing this and knowing that there are so many of our students that are currently not eligible to receive a COVID vaccine based on their age, it is more important than ever that as a parent or guardian that you decide for your family to have your child wear a mask throughout their school day. Only 17% of children 12 – 17 are currently vaccinated in Rowan County – this is not enough for herd immunity. If your child is twelve years old or older, we highly encourage you to get your child vaccinated against COVID—it is the best way to protect them; and with wearing a mask, it only provides additional protection. If you have a concern, please reach out to your pediatrician for their recommendation. The choice that you make for your child and your family not only affects you personally, but it can have major ramifications for your students’ classmates, their teachers, and any school staff that they may come in contact with.

What we once thought we had put behind us in early June has now only become more contagious, not to mention we are seeing impact our youth with more serious results around the country. Our rates have currently risen faster than at any other point in the pandemic due to the Delta variant of COVID-19. The reason behind this is that the Delta variant is more easily transmitted due to the mutation that allows it to replicate more efficiently within the body, leading to a higher viral load that can then be spread. Currently research has shown that an individual with the Delta variant can infect up to six to eight individuals, whereas a person infected with the previous form of COVID-19 virus can only affect 2 to 2.5 other individuals.

Out of deep concern for our community and its well-being, at Tuesday night’s meeting the Rowan County Board of Health voted to formally recommend masks for all citizens, including school-aged children, to slow the spread of COVID19. Rowan County Public Health Director Alyssa Harris has stated, “I strongly recommend wearing masks indoors – for all citizens, especially school-aged children – given that Rowan County has a high transmission rate and a large number of active cases at this time.” Even for those who are fully vaccinated, it is highly suggested that you begin wearing a face mask once again. A recommendation is not a mandate; however, we are asking all citizens to take precaution due to the virus and the impact we are seeing on the community.

If we all do not do our part, it is inevitable that more people will contract the virus, become sicker, will need to be quarantined, or even hospitalized. This can only be avoided, especially as school begins, by every student wearing their masks while in school and out in public and every child 12 and older getting vaccinated. In addition to this, schools can do their part in reducing the rate of transmission by cleaning surfaces regularly, improving building ventilation, practicing social distancing whenever possible, and encouraging good hand hygiene throughout the school day.

Protect yourselves and your families by practicing the 3W’s and getting vaccinated! The only way that we will ever be able to overcome this is by EVERYONE stepping up to the plate and doing your part. For more information on how to make an appointment for a COVID vaccine for you and/or your family, please call 704-216-8737. Also, please feel free to contact our COVID Hotline at 980-432-1800, if you have any other questions and/or concerns.

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

Download Media Release COVID-19 - August 11, 2021 (PDF)