COVID-19 REPORTING TRANSITION

The end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration on May 11 will transition COVID-19 response into a routine part of public health and healthcare activities. This will impact the way that COVID-19 data is reported to public health agencies, as laboratories will no longer be required to report COVID-19 test results. Transylvania Public Health will no longer be publishing regular reports of COVID-19 data and trends. However, public health agencies will continue to monitor certain COVID-29 metrics along with other communicable diseases of concern.

At the national level, the CDC will report the percentage of COVID-19 associated deaths and percentage of emergency department visits for patients with COVID-19 each week, as modeled after flu surveillance. The CDC will also report COVID-19 hospital admissions weekly through April 2024. Wastewater surveillance will continue, along with genomic testing to track transmission of variants. Vaccination data will be updated monthly, for jurisdictions that continue to submit data. (See https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/.)

In North Carolina, NCDHHS has already incorporated COVID-19 data into its dashboard with other respiratory illness data. It will continue to include data on visits to emergency departments, new hospital admissions, and wastewater surveillance. (See https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard.) State-level vaccination data updates will retire on May 31, but will be available from the CDC. COVID-19 vaccination records are transitioning to the routine immunization reporting system. After June 1, individuals who need copies of their COVID-19 vaccination records will need to get them from their healthcare provider, local health department, or pharmacy in the same way that they request other vaccination records.

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

Based on the latest CDC recommendations, everyone older than 6 months will only receive an updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that protects against more variants of the virus. People age 65 and older and those with a compromised immune system can now receive an additional dose of the updated vaccine to protect themselves against severe illness from COVID-19. Most unvaccinated individuals may receive a single dose of either bivalent vaccine, rather than multiple doses of the original monovalent mRNA vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are still free, regardless of insurance or immigration status. However, COVID-19 vaccines will soon become available like flu shots and other routine vaccinations and may no longer be free for everyone. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Information page for more details.

Transylvania Public Health is offering updated COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 6 months and older. Please call 828-884-3135 to schedule an appointment.

COVID-19 DATA UPDATE

Transylvania remains in the low (green) category for the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels as of May 3, based on 46.53 new cases per 100,000 population, 1.8 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population and 1.5% of staffed inpatient beds in the region in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19.

For areas 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 updated boosters for everyone ages 6 months and older. COVID-19 vaccines are available in Transylvania County from Transylvania Public Health, Blue Ridge Health-Brevard, Gordon’s Family Pharmacy, Ingles Pharmacy, Walgreen’s, Wal-Mart Pharmacy, and some private providers.
• Get tested if you have symptoms. Free at-home test kits are still available by mail from www.covidtests.gov and www.accesscovidtests.org/. At-home test kits available for purchase are also covered by most private health insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage plans; check with your insurance provider for details. In-person testing is available in Transylvania County at CVS, Mercy Urgent Care, Pardee Urgent Care, Walgreens, and private healthcare providers. Find testing locations at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing.
• 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. Free N95 respirators from the state stockpile are still available as supplies allow at Transylvania County Library.

Based on data from May 3, community transmission remains moderate in Transylvania County. Transmission numbers continue to decline, with only 8 counties in NC and 17% of counties nationwide currently showing high levels. (This metric continues to be used by healthcare providers to determine appropriate precautions in their facilities.)

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).

FEATURED NEWS

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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]