News Flash

For Immediate Release

12/15/2021    

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

Omicron is Now in a Majority of Our States

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who is the Director of the CDC, shared yesterday new data on the rate of spread of the Omicron variant across our country.  Currently, Omicron is known to be in 33 states across America and 77 nations around the world. 

At this time, we also have close to 120,000 cases of COVID-19 being reported daily in the U.S., with the vast majority of all illnesses still being contributed to the delta variant. However, early data from other countries has shown that Omicron is spreading rapidly. Omicron appears to be very transmissible and is rapidly becoming the more predominant strain. On a more positive note, however, the CDC is seeing shorter lengths of stay in hospitals, fewer people on oxygen, and fewer people in the ICU with this new variant. Although the Omicron variant does not seem to be as dangerous at this time, if we have more and more people getting sick, even if we have fewer people that get extremely ill, our country and its healthcare systems may be greatly impacted once again. This is even more reason why we need to practice all the preventative measures that are in place at this time to fight COVID.

Pfizer also announced yesterday that a clinical trial of its new oral COVID-19 pill, known as Paxlovid, was found to be 89% effective at preventing high-risk people from being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19. If and when this new pill is finally approved by the FDA, it could become another great tool in our fight against COVID. Approval of Paxlovid may occur as early as this month. 

With Christmas fast approaching and the number of COVID cases increasing once again, below are some tips that may help you and your loved ones stay safe as you gather over the holidays:

• Make sure to wear your mask inside, especially in crowded places and in places that you are gathering with people who aren’t a part of your immediate family
• Masks are not required in many outdoor settings; however, you should wear a mask if it's too crowded and if you're around a lot of people outside your household.
• Plan accordingly to get tested before joining in on indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.
• Do your homework before your travel to see what the number of COVID cases are like at your holiday destination. Also, delay any travel until you're fully vaccinated, and if not, get tested before and after making your trip. Remember domestic flights do not require negative tests, but all international flights have made it a requirement within 24 hours of flying to the U.S.
• If you are sick or not feeling well, please just stay at home!!!

We cannot emphasize to you enough the importance of getting your COVID vaccinations as soon as possible and your booster shot as soon as you become eligible.

For those in your family 5 to 11 years of age, they can now receive the Pfizer vaccine. Each dose is only one-third the amount given to people 12 and older. The following businesses and agencies are offering this lower dose of the Pfizer COVID -19 vaccine at this time:

• StarMed (outside Rowan County Public Health in side parking lot) - Appointments are preferred and can be made at starmed.care. 
• Rowan County Public Health- Please call 704-216-8777; Option 3 to make an appointment
• Salisbury Pediatric – Please call 704-636-5576 for more information and to make an appointment
• Novant Health COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Clinic – Appointments are available Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 am to 5 pm at the J.F. Hurley YMCA; please sign up by visiting getvaccinated.org and make an appointment in MyChart
• Moose Pharmacy -Appointments and walk-ins are now welcome; please call 704-636-6340 for more information

As far as scheduling a booster shot, the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots is now available for anyone 16 and older and is recommended for individuals who received their second dose at least six months ago. The Moderna COVID-19 booster shot is also available for anyone 18 and older and is recommended for individuals who received their second dose at least six months ago. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shot is recommended as well for individuals ages 18 and older who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

Here locally, the COVID-19 booster shots are 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—Please call 704-216-8777; Option 3 to make an appointment 
• Local Pharmacies - Walmart; Walgreens; CVS; Moose Pharmacy; Medicine Shoppe, Cannon Pharmacy
• Local Grocery Stores - Food Lion 

In closing, as we are out doing last minute shopping and participating in holiday parties, please continue washing your hands more frequently, wearing your masks out in public, and practicing social distancing whether you are vaccinated or not. More importantly if you feel sick, you should get tested at one of the following sites and follow the recommended guidelines to keep those around you as safe and as healthy as you can. 

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

Download Media Release COVID-19 - December 15, 2021 (PDF)