Buncombe County COVID-19 Community Update August 10, 2021

Buncombe County -- Buncombe County Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Update for Aug. 10, 2021

 Buncombe County COVID-19 Incidence Rate and Hospitalizations Grow

More than 90% of all newly investigated cases are in those not fully vaccinated

Since the COVID-19 update at the Aug. 3 Board of Commissioners meeting, the COVID-19 incidence rate has grown to 219 per 100,000 per week, which is a two-fold increase from two weeks ago. More than 90% of all newly investigated cases are in those not fully vaccinated. In addition, the number of inpatient beds with COVID-19 has grown to 8.3%. Hospitalization data are lagging indicators, since the new cases rise as individuals become sick, with hospitalizations following.
The current rate of incidence is 7.4%, up from 3.4% three weeks ago.

On average, 67 new cases are entering the public health workflow daily.

Currently, 61% of the total population in Buncombe County is partially vaccinated, and 58% of the total population is fully vaccinated. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently added federal doses on the state dashboard, which gave counties a better picture of vaccination rates.

When broken down by age, Buncombe County has considerable vaccine coverage for those who are 65 years and older. With federal doses now included, these rates are 80% or more partially vaccinated. Groups in younger brackets still lag with 25-49 years at only 60% partially vaccinated and 18-24 years at 50% partially vaccinated.

Vaccines in Buncombe County

Buncombe County Health & Human Services vaccine administration takes place at the Buncombe County Health Department, 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville. Walk-in vaccines are available between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments can be scheduled online at www.buncombeready.org. Additional vaccine providers can be found by visiting https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines.

In addition, a mobile vaccine event will be held on Monday, Aug. 16 from 12-3 p.m. at Smoky Park Supper Club for anyone 12 and older.
Visit the Find my Testing Place website to find COVID-19 testing locations in Buncombe County or to request a free, at-home COVID test. Individuals who are showing symptoms or believe they have had close contact to COVID-19 should get tested.

For more information about COVID-19 and vaccines in Buncombe County, go to www.buncombeready.org.

Aug, 3, 2021 Update: With Rapid Transmission, COVID-19 Infection Rate Doubles

Overwhelming majority of cases in younger, unvaccinated individuals

In the two weeks since the most recent Buncombe County Health and Human Services COVID-19 update, the COVID-19 incidence rate has more than doubled. “I’m coming here today with a sense of urgency,” said Public Health Director Stacie Saunders. “Everyone has heard by now that the Delta variant is incredibly contagious. With reports that it spreads as fast or faster than small pox, the 1918 Flu, or chicken pox, individuals with the Delta variant can infect between six and eight people.”

The current rate of incidence is 7.2%, up from 3.4% two weeks ago. BCHHS is seeing about 50 new cases per day and 151 cases per 100,000 per week. Most cases were in those not fully vaccinated.

In Buncombe County, the average age for people with new cases is 39. “Vaccination is working to protect our elders who grew up in a time when they saw their classmates and childhood friends deeply impacted by infectious diseases, some that would permanently disable children and others that would ultimately kill children,” said Saunders. “They were also the generations that began to see the first impacts of widespread vaccinations and they began to experience childhoods without the threat of common infections of the time because of vaccines. These vaccines are our best shot at cutting off the virus’ supply chain and limiting its ability to change further.”

To date, BCHHS has administered almost 97,000 total doses of vaccine to date, and 55% of the total Buncombe County population has been at least partially vaccinated.  

Incentive cards

This week, Buncombe County will begin offering incentive cards through the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Summer Incentive Program. Individuals who are 18 and over and are receiving their first dose of the vaccine will receive $100, and those providing a ride to individuals getting a first dose will receive $25. These incentives will be available at the BCHHS vaccine clinic at 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville and at BCHHS outreach events. A public announcement will be made when the Summer Incentive Program cards have arrived and are available.
In the update, Buncombe County Public Health officials made the following recommendations for action to stop the spread of COVID:

Buncombe County Government implement a County employee vaccine policy to ensure the workforce is protected and will limit the spread to the community
All public indoor spaces require masks indoors, regardless of vaccine status, while transmission rates are increasing
Universal masking for all students and staff in K-12 settings
Mask-wearing by everyone in all public indoor spaces, regardless of the business or facility’s requirements, during this time of high transmission

COVID vaccines in Buncombe County

Buncombe County Health & Human Services vaccine administration takes place at the Buncombe County Health Department, 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville. Walk-in vaccines are available between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments can be scheduled online at www.buncombeready.org. Additional vaccine providers can be found by visiting https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines.
“Please honor the sacrifices of our emergency services responders, nurses, public health workers, restaurants workers, business owners, teachers, and school-aged children by getting your vaccine,” Saunders concluded. “Don’t squander the hard work of our entire community by choosing to let this virus use our bodies. We can all take steps to shut down COVID-19 through vaccination and masking.”  

Visit the Find my Testing Place website to register for COVID-19 testing in Buncombe County. Individuals who are showing symptoms or believe they have had close contact to COVID-19 should get tested.