News Flash

For Immediate Release

09/30/2021    

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

How to Stay Well During COVID and the Upcoming Flu Season
 

As we continue to try to bring down our COVID numbers and try to reduce the number of really sick individuals with COVID within our hospitals, we all need to remember to continue to practice the 3Ws when going out in public, whether you are vaccinated or not.  Better yet, if you still need to get vaccinated against COVID, you can visit Find Your Spot to Take Your Shot to locate local agencies and businesses that are currently offering the COVID vaccine. 

 Also, as of last week, the CDC now recommends a booster COVID dose for individuals that initially received the Pfizer vaccine and who may be at a higher risk of being exposed to COVID. Based on these recommendations, individuals should seek out a booster COVID shot if you fall into the following categories: 

• People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccine series;
• People aged 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditionsshould receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccine series;
• People 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19, due to certain underlying medical conditions,  may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccine  series, based on their individual benefits and risks; and 
• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because one’s job and work environment may also receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccine series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

 Here locally, the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot is now available at the following locations:

• Novant Health Clinic at the J.F. Hurley YMCA; 8 am to 5 pm Wed. and Friday; Appointments are strongly encouraged and please bring your vaccine card
• Novant Health’s Primary Care Clinics; call your primary physician for more information
• Rowan County Public Health—Clinics Begin Monday, October 4^th; please call to make an appointment at 704-216-8777; Option 3 
• Local Pharmacies: Walmart; Walgreens; CVS; Moose Pharmacy; Medicine Shoppe, Cannon Pharmacy
• Local Grocery Stores: Food Lion

 For information on how to schedule an appointment, please visit each agency’s website or call them directly. 

In addition to getting your initial COVID Vaccination and a possible booster, if you qualify, you also need to make sure to make the time to get your annual flu shot. We recommend the flu vaccine every year; however, this year it is even more important than ever with the delta variant being so prevalent within our community. If anything, especially this year, you want to protect your respiratory system as much as you can!  All the agencies and businesses listed above, excluding the Novant Clinic at the J. F. Hurley YMCA, are also offering flu shots at this time. We highly encourage you to contact them directly to make an appointment and to find out when this service is offered.  

Along with these preventative measures, a healthier lifestyle can also boost one’s immunity to COVID-19, the flu, and other illnesses. Being active, eating healthy, reducing your stress levels, and getting enough sleep all help to improve your immune system.  Recently, research has shown that by exercising at least 5 days per week, you can reduce your chances of developing an upper respiratory infection by nearly 50% compared to being inactive. Daily exercise also reduces the severity of one’s symptoms, if or when one does become sick. Research has also shown that healthy eating leads to a healthy gut, which increases your immune system and allows your body to fight off an infection faster. 

 As far as one’s stress levels, a direct correlation has been found between the weakening of one’s immune system and the amount of stress one is under. With that said and more importantly than ever, finding healthy ways to reduce your stress level can definitely boost your immunity. As far as sleep goes, research has found that getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night can make you 4 times less likely to catch a cold, compared to someone that gets 6 hours of sleep or less.  

 Supplements can also boost one’s immune system. The following supplements have been suggested to help prevent one from getting sick and are also known to help you recover more quickly after getting sick: 

• Vitamins C and D help reduce your chances of developing an upper respiratory illness, while boosting your immunity. 
• Zinc has also been shown to help prevent upper respiratory illnesses and can reduce the duration of an infection. 
• Probiotics have been found to help prevent one from getting sick. Similar to eating a healthier diet, probiotics offer a good bacterium that helps keep your gut healthy and enhances your immune system.  

 Please be advised that some supplements may interact with your prescriptions and any over-the-counter medications that you are currently taking. In addition to this, some supplements may pose a risk to you if you have certain health conditions. With that said, you should always speak with your healthcare provider and pharmacist before starting any type of supplement. Any individual that is pregnant or breastfeeding needs to be sure to also speak with your OB/GYN before taking any type of supplement.  

 As we ease into another fall with COVID and with the flu season soon approaching, we highly encourage you to get vaccinated against COVID, continue to practice the 3Ws, get your annual flu shot, and adopt a healthier lifestyle. By doing your part and trying to be the healthiest you can be, you will help our community become healthier and safer, especially for those individuals who have higher health risk. As healthy individuals, it is our responsibility to practice healthy guidelines to not only protect ourselves and our families, but to also protect those who are chronically ill and/or more susceptible. Remember our actions, whether good or bad, can impact everyone around us! 

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

Download Media Release COVID-19 - September 28, 2021 (PDF)