For Immediate Release

12/29/2021    

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

Rowan County COVID-19 Update;

CDC and NCDHHS adopt new Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines

As a result of the holiday season and the increasing cases of the Omicron variant, Rowan County is seeing a surge in cases of COVID-19. During this difficult time there are several ways that you can take action to protect yourself, your family, and our community.

With increasing cases, please consider taking extra precautions at this time. Practice the 3W’s - wash your hands, wait six feet from others, and wear your mask when you are in public spaces. Get vaccinated if you have not done so. Get tested to know your status, especially if you are experiencing symptoms or have been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. We need you to help prevent the spread of COVID19 in our community.

Immunizations

Public Health strongly recommends that you get your flu vaccine to protect you from influenza. Flu season is right around the corner. Typically, North Carolina flu season peaks in late-January and early February. 

Please seek information from your medical provider about getting your COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage you to receive your primary COVID-19 series if you have not done so. All vaccines are readily available in our community. 

Finally, if you have received your COVID-19 vaccine, please get your booster dose! You can receive a booster dose six months after a two-dose series of an mRNA vaccine or two months after a one-dose series of a COVID19 vaccine. Research states that having a booster, especially of an mRNA vaccine, has been shown to provide additional protection against the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Testing

Access to testing is key to contain and prevent the spread of COVID19. Testing is available in our community and provides important information so you know if you can gather in a safe way. Please get tested before you see friends, family, and if you have any symptoms. Symptoms include but are not limited to: runny or stuffy nose, headache, cough, fever, fatigue, muscle pain, sore throat, and loss of smell or taste. 

Please view our website to find the most up to date locations. Our community partners are here for you!

COVID-19 Case Update

Rowan County continues to see our active COVID-19 cases increase.  Just in the past week we jumped to 819 active cases in the last 14-days and a percent positive for testing of 12.5%. Today, Wednesday, December 29^th, 2021, more than 170 new cases were reported to the health department. Please assess your own personal risk, take additional precautions, and reduce your interactions with groups of people. Hospitalizations within our local region have also steadily increased. The Triad Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (THPC), which Rowan County is a part of, reported 544 adult hospitalizations due to COVID; and of those, 127 patients were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The vast majority of hospitalized individuals are unvaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to reduce the severity of illness and protect against hospitalization and death. 

Rowan County vaccination data shows that 45% of citizens are partially vaccinated and 42% of citizens are fully vaccinated. Each week an additional 500 Rowan County citizens choose to get vaccinated. We are extremely thankful for each of you for taking steps to protect yourself and others. Many people in Rowan County are considered vulnerable – our friends, family members, co-workers, and employees at the businesses we frequent. We implore you to do your part by acting cautiously in the face of this surge of COVID-19.

Quarantine and Isolation

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has also adopted updated guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which outlines what individuals should do if they contract or are exposed to COVID-19 to help slow the spread to others:

If you have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status – get tested and isolate from others while you wait for a result. If you are not able to be tested, follow the guidance below as if you are positive.  

If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are

• Not vaccinated – stay away from others for 5 days, get tested on day 5 after exposure, and if you test negative, return to normal activities while wearing a mask for 5 additional days.
• Vaccinated and eligible for a booster, but have not yet been boosted – stay away from others for 5 days, get tested on day 5 after exposure, and if you test negative, return to normal activities while wearing a mask for 5 additional days.
• Vaccinated, and have either received your booster or are not yet eligible for a booster – you do not need to stay away from others, but you should wear a mask for 10 days.

If you test positive, regardless of vaccination status, and

• Do not have symptoms – isolate yourself from others for 5 days, then wear a mask for 5 additional days when you return to normal activities. 
• Have symptoms – isolate yourself from others until you are fever-free and your symptoms are improving. You should isolate for at least 5 days since your symptoms began. Once you stop isolating, you should wear a mask for 5 additional days.

People who have received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines are eligible for a booster shot after six months. Those who got a Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine initially should receive a booster after two months. According to the CDC, those who are eligible for boosters and have not received them should follow the stricter guidance for quarantine and masks.

The CDC guidance differentiates between those who are boosted and those who are eligible, but not boosted. It cites initial data from South Africa showing that two mRNA doses provide 35% protection against infection. With a booster shot, that protection increases to 75%.

In all cases, a well-fitting mask (CDC guidance) is recommended. If possible, wear a surgical or procedure mask, a KN95 or an N95 respirator. In general, the CDC recommends all unvaccinated people 2 years old or older wear a mask indoors. To find a no-cost community testing event or a testing site near you, visit ncdhhs.gov/gettested. Please do not visit the emergency room to get tested.

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PIO Contact:
Alyssa Harris
704-216-8871
alyssa.harris@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release - COVID-19 - December 29, 2021