News Flash

For Immediate Release

09/07/2022    

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 Public Health is Offering Bivalent Boosters

Late last week, the CDC approved a new, updated COVID-19 vaccine that will target both the BA.4 and BA.5 strains, which currently make up 99% of all new cases in the country. As new variants of the virus emerge, updated boosters are intended to provide optimal protection against COVID-19 and address waning vaccine effectiveness over time, especially as we approach fall and winter when the flu is more prevalent, and more time is spent indoors.

The CDC now recommends that everyone who is eligible to stay up to date on their vaccinations by getting an updated bivariant booster dose at least 2 months after their last COVID-19 shot—either since their last booster dose, or since completing their primary series. Pfizer’s updated bivariant booster shot is available for anyone 12 and older, while the Moderna bivalent booster will be available to anyone over 18.

This additional layer of protection will definitely help our community reduce its level of transmission, especially as we continue to see the number of cases for our local youth, 5 to 17 years of age, rise. Since the week of August 8^th, the number of cases of COVID-19 within this age group has almost tripled. In addition to this, we are also seeing a local uptick in our COVID-19 wastewater study of Grant and Town Creeks. As of yesterday, the amount of COVID-19 detected in both creeks has increased, especially in eastern and western parts of Rowan County, according to the City of Salisbury. 

With the number of COVID-19 cases among our school-age youth rising and with our local wastewater study now showing higher traces of the virus, it should not be surprising that Rowan County is once again considered high in the transmission for COVID-19. With our cases continuing to go  back and forth between medium and high transmission, Rowan County Public Health urges you to do the following things to help stop the spread of COVID-19:  

• Stay up to date on your vaccinations and make sure to get the new bivariant booster. 
• Wear a high-quality mask when going out in public.
• Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• Maintain ventilation improvements.
• Follow the recommendations for isolation, if you have suspected or a confirmed case of 

COVID-19.

• Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• If you are at a high risk of getting very sick, talk with your healthcare provider about additional prevention actions. They may suggest that you wear a high-quality mask or respirator, such as a N95 mask, when indoors and out in public.
• If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when inside with them.  For more information on how to receive FREE tests at home, please visit NC DHHS or the USPS. You can also call us at 980-432-1800 or email our COVID Team at Covid-19@rowancountync.gov to schedule a pickup for at-home tests. 
• Seek out a prescription for antiviral pills, such as Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, within the first five days that your symptoms appear. For more information on treatment, please visit the NCDHHS website.

If you are interested in receiving either the Moderna or Pfizer bivalent booster, please call Rowan County Public Health at 704-216-8863 to make an appointment. 

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

Download Media Release COVID-19 - September 7, 2022 (PDF)