COVID-19 INFORMATION

New cases decreased 50% in the past 30 days compared to the previous 30 days. Transylvania remains in the low (green) category for the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels as of March 9, based on 29.08 new cases per 100,000 population, 1.4 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population and 2.5% of staffed inpatient beds in the region in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19.

Since Transylvania County is in the low category for COVID-19 Community Levels, the CDC recommends the following actions for everyone: Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines including the new bivalent boosters. 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. Choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others.

TESTING

Testing for COVID-19 is recommended for anyone with symptoms, before and after travel, and 5 days after exposure to someone with COVID-19. Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

In-person COVID-19 testing is available in Transylvania County at CVS, Mercy Urgent Care, Pardee Urgent Care, Walgreens, and private healthcare providers. (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 test kits are currently available by mail from www.covidtests.gov and www.accesscovidtests.org/. Free tests can also be picked up at local organizations: visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/home-covid-19-tests for locations. At-home test kits are also covered by most private health insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage plans. Tests covered by providers will either be free at the time of purchase or reimbursed later by submitting a claim with a receipt. For more information about insurance reimbursement, check with your insurance provider or visit https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free.

ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE GUIDANCE

After a positive test, early treatment is key to avoiding severe illness and hospitalizations, and treatment may even reduce complications from post-COVID conditions, also called long COVID. People with symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider to see if they are eligible for oral COVID-19 medications that can lower the risk of severe illness but must be taken within 5 days of symptoms starting. Free telemedicine appointments to screen for COVID-19 treatment eligibility are available through an NCDHHS partnership with StarMed Healthcare. To set up an appointment, visit https://starmed.care/nc or call 704-941-6000, seven days a week from 9 am to 7 pm.

People who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in the home. This is when people are likely most infectious. If they must be around others at home or in public, they should wear a well-fitting high-quality mask at all times and should avoid being around people who are more likely to get serious illness from COVID-19.

After 5 days, people who have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medications and whose other symptoms are improving (or who never had symptoms) can end isolation but should wear a well-fitting high-quality mask through day 10, or until they have 2 negative antigen tests taken 48 hours apart. They should continue to avoid being around people who are more likely to get serious illness from COVID-19 through day 10. If COVID-19 symptoms worsen after they have ended isolation, they should restart isolation at day 0 and talk to a healthcare provider.

People who had moderate illness (those who experienced shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) or severe illness (those who were hospitalized) due to COVID-19 as well as people who have a weakened immune system should continue to isolate through day 10. People with severe illness or have a weakened immune system should consult a healthcare provider before ending isolation.

People who have been exposed to COVID-19 do not need to quarantine but should wear a well-fitting high-quality mask for 10 full days and be tested for COVID-19 on day 5 even if they don’t develop symptoms. People who develop symptoms should isolate immediately and get tested for COVID-19.

Additional information 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.

CURRENT MASK GUIDANCE

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 for the entire time recommended.

People in areas with low (green) community levels may choose to wear a mask at any time for protection against the COVID-19 virus. Masks are recommended in indoor public transportation settings and may be required by local or state authorities. People who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should consider wearing a high-quality mask or respirator when indoors in public for additional protection. People who have household or social contact with someone at higher risk for getting very sick should consider wearing a mask around them and self-testing before contact.

Some face coverings provide 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 Transylvania County Library and other community locations; call 884-3135 for details.

VACCINES & BOOSTERS

COVID-19 vaccines and bivalent booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and up. Boosters can be given at least 2 months after their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine or 3 months after having COVID-19.

Transylvania Public Health is offering all COVID-19 vaccines by appointment. Appointments can be made up to 2 weeks in advance online using the link below by calling 828-884-4007. People who have received previous doses of any COVID-19 vaccines should bring their previous vaccination card(s) if available.

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.

For more information about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, guidance, or vaccines, call 884-3135 during the health department’s normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm).

MPOX UPDATE

New cases of Mpox virus infection (previously known as “monkeypox”) have slowed in the US, with less than 5 new cases being reported each week. As of February 13, a total of 734 cases have been reported in North Carolina; 30,123 cases and 28 deaths from Mpox have been reported in the US; 85,802 cases have been identified in 110 locations and 97 deaths have been reported in 17 locations worldwide.

People who notice a new or unexplained rash or other Mpox symptoms should contact a healthcare provider for testing. People who have had close personal contact with someone who has Mpox should visit a healthcare provider to help them decide if they need to be tested for Mpox. Antivirals such as tecovirimat (TPOXX) may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, including patients with weakened immune systems.

CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to Mpox and people who may be more likely to get Mpox, including close contacts of someone with Mpox, people with a sexual partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with Mpox, people with multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known Mpox, and people whose jobs may expose them to orthopoxviruses, such as certain laboratory, healthcare, or public health workers. The preferred vaccine to protect against Mpox is JYNNEOS, which is a 2-dose vaccine that takes 14 days after the second dose to reach maximum protection. At this time, vaccinations and/or boosters are not recommended for the general public.

For more information, visit the CDC website on Monkeypox.

FORMULA SHORTAGE UPDATE

Some families are still experiencing concerns with finding infant formula. For the latest resources and guidance, visit ncdhhs.gov/formula or contact our local WIC office at 884-3242. To support families during this shortage, WIC participants can purchase more types of formula by issuing benefits for more sizes of Gerber formula and for additional Gerber formula products (Gerber Good Start Gentle Supreme and NAN 1 Pro Infant Powder). Learn more. (SPANISH)

NCDHHS is warning families and caregivers not to purchase Mother’s Touch Formula or give it to infants under their care. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Mother’s Touch Formula does not meet the nutrient requirements for infant formula and is not fully tested for potentially harmful bacteria. Learn more.

FEATURED NEWS

Click here for current job postings

SUMMER 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

[email protected]