New cases in Transylvania County have increased 180% in the past 7 days compared to the previous 7 days. Hospitalizations have increased slightly, and the percent of positive tests has doubled. While community transmission is currently high, Transylvania County remains in the low (green) category of the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels as of May 12. This level is based on 31.99 new cases in the past 7 days per 100,000 population, 2.2 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population, and 2.2% of staffed inpatient beds in the region in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19.
The CDC recommends that people take the following actions in areas with low COVID-19 community levels: Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Wear a mask on public transportation. You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.
VACCINES & BOOSTERS
Transylvania Public Health is offering all COVID-19 vaccines BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, including second boosters for eligible individuals. Appointments can be made online using the link below or by calling 828-884-4007. Available vaccinations include a primary series of Pfizer or Moderna, single doses of J&J, additional doses for immunocompromised individuals, and first and second initial booster doses. Booster doses for children ages 5-11 are not yet available. People who have received previous doses of the COVID-19 vaccines should bring their previous vaccination card(s) if available. For more information, please call 884-4007 or click here for our COVID-19 vaccination information page.
Schedule COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment
COVID-19 vaccines are also available in Transylvania County from Blue Ridge Health Center-Brevard Health Center, Gordon’s Family Pharmacy, Ingles Pharmacy, Walgreen’s, Wal-Mart Pharmacy, and some private providers. Specific availability of each vaccine may vary; contact each vaccine provider for more information about which vaccines they are currently offering.
Transylvania Public Health may also be able to provide on-site vaccinations by request for groups at worksites, churches, community centers, and neighborhoods. To request a vaccination event, click here or call 884-4007.
The CDC now recommends that children ages 5 to 11 years who are not immunocompromised should receive a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 5 months after their initial vaccination series. (Children ages 5 to 11 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a booster 3 months after completing their most recent dose.) The FDA amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to allow a single booster dose for children ages 5 to 11 years earlier this week. Providers can begin offering a booster dose to children once they have updated physician orders. The CDC also strengthened its recommendation for second boosters: all adults ages 50 and older, and people ages 12 and older who are immunocompromised should receive a second booster at least 4 months after their first booster.
Vaccination against COVID-19 is currently recommended for everyone ages 5 and older, with 2 doses of Pfizer given 21 days apart (available to ages 5 and older), 2 doses of Moderna given 28 days apart (available to ages 18 and older), or a single dose of J&J (available to ages 18 and older). The mRNA vaccines are preferred for most people, but the J&J vaccine may be considered in some situations. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should also receive an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine at least 28 days after their last dose as part of this primary series.
An initial booster dose is recommended for everyone ages 5 and older, at least 5 months after completing the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna doses or 2 months after receiving a single dose of J&J. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a booster dose at least 3 months after their last dose of Pfizer or Moderna or at least 2 months after their last dose of J&J vaccine. For initial booster doses, the mRNA vaccines are preferred, but the J&J vaccine may be considered.
A second booster dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine is recommended for adults ages 50 or older and certain immunocompromised individuals ages 12 years or older who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months ago. In addition, people who received a primary dose of the J&J vaccine and a booster dose of the J&J vaccine at least 4 months ago may choose to receive a second booster dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
The FDA has announced plans to meet in June to discuss COVID-19 vaccines for children under age 5 years, and will release more information once applications from Pfizer and Moderna are complete.
CURRENT MASK GUIDANCE
People in areas with green (low) community levels should wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by their personal level of risk. However, cases in our area are increasing so some individuals may choose to take additional precautions.
People who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness (and those who have frequent close contact with someone at higher risk) may choose to wear a mask or respirator for additional protection against the COVID-19 virus. This includes masks with tighter woven fabric and more layers, as well as N95 respirators, which offer the highest levels of protection if worn correctly and consistently. Free N95 respirators from the state stockpile are still available as supplies allow at locations throughout the community, including the Transylvania County Library, Transylvania County Parks and Recreation, Jarrett’s IGA, and Sharing House.
However, anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19, a positive test, or an exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask around other people.
TESTING
Testing is recommended for anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 and for anyone who has been a close contact to someone with COVID-19 5 days after their last exposure. Testing is available in Transylvania County at private healthcare providers, CVS, Mercy Urgent Care, Pardee Urgent Care, and Walgreens. (Please note that Transylvania Public Health does NOT offer COVID-19 testing for the general public.) Additional testing locations can be found at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing.
Free at-home COVID-19 test kits are available by mail from https://www.covidtests.gov/. At-home test kits are also available for purchase at local stores and for free at https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/nc. Health insurance providers including Medicare will pay for or reimburse the cost of test kits purchased in stores or online. For more information about insurance reimbursement, visit https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free.
IF YOU HAVE COVID-19
People who have COVID-19 must isolate at home and away from other people until 5 days have passed since their positive test results or their first symptoms developed; they may leave home after day 5 if they did not have symptoms or if their symptoms are resolving and they have not had a fever for 24 hours, but must continue to wear a mask around other people for 5 additional days.
People with symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider to see if they are eligible for COVID-19 treatment. Oral antiviral medications can lower the risk of severe illness, but must be taken within 5 days of symptoms starting. Eligible individuals can receive a prescription for Paxlovid or Molnupiravir from any qualified healthcare provider, and there is no cost for the medication itself. The medication is also available at “test-to-treat” locations that can offer testing, a prescription, and the medication itself at one location. For more information about accessing COVID-19 treatment, visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/what-to-do-if-you-feel-sick or call 1-800-232-0233.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19
People who have been identified as a close contact to someone with COVID-19 and are vaccinated as currently recommended, including booster shots if eligible for ages 18 and older, do not need to quarantine but should wear a mask around other people for 10 days and should be tested on day 5 after exposure (or immediately if they develop symptoms). Close contacts who are unvaccinated or who have not received boosters if eligible should stay at home for 5 days after their last exposure, be tested on day 5 (or immediately if they develop symptoms), and then wear a mask around other people for 5 additional days. As of February 21, students and staff in K-12 schools and childcare facilities in North Carolina are not required to stay home from school after a close contact to someone with COVID-19, unless they have symptoms or test positive.
The current guidance for people with symptoms, a positive test, or an exposure to someone with COVID-19 is available on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html.
For more information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, guidance, or vaccines, call 884-4007 during the health department’s normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm).
COVID-19 Daily Data
(Updated 5/18/22 at 4:00 pm) (Demographic data for COVID-19 deaths will be updated weekly, as needed. Last updated 3/23/22 at 12:45 pm) For more information about cases in North Carolina, visit the NC DHHS COVID-19 Case Count website. For more information about cases...
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read moreSUMMER AT THE TOWN POOL WITH FRIENDS ON A HOT SUMMER DAY.
A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY LUNCH FOR ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CO-WORKERS.
MATCHING TATTOOS WITH YOUR COUSINS, JUST LIKE YOU ALWAYS SAID YOU WOULD.
You might not know it, but memories like these are made possible by Transylvania Public Health. We inspect places like public and private pools, restaurants, hotels and even tattoo parlors to help keep them clean and safe for everyone in Transylvania County to use.
We also keep Transylvania County safe by offering immunizations, screening for health concerns, encouraging good nutrition, and more. Good public health is the backbone of a thriving, healthy community. Transylvania Public Health is already doing a lot to keep you healthy. Get to know us – there’s a lot more we can do for you.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday – Thursday
8:30am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-5:00pm
Friday
8:30am-5:00pm (last appt at 4:30pm)
828.884.3135
PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY.
Transylvania County is known for its natural beauty, making it a popular tourist destination and more importantly, a place for families to grow and thrive. We’d venture to say that without clean water, a healthy population, and a well-immunized community, this wouldn’t be so.
Transylvania Public Health is committed to keeping our county beautiful and its people healthy. We’re a quiet but steady partner in economic development, an outspoken player in community health and promotion, and a valued member of any health crisis or disaster preparedness team.
TRANSYLVANIA PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE’RE HERE FOR EVERYONE.
EVERYWHERE. EVERYDAY.
MY HEALTH
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
