WKRK 105.5 FM 1320 AM
  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Closings & Traffic
  • Missing Pets
  • Shop Local
  • Contact Us

Greater Urgency to Get Vaccinated as COVID-19 Cases Increase

7/8/2021

 
Picture
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging all unvaccinated North Carolinians to get a COVID-19 vaccine as cases, hospitalizations and deaths have been inching up across the state. North Carolina’s early warning systems are showing more people going to the emergency department with COVID-like illness and elevated viral levels in wastewater in certain regions of the state.

At the same time, the more infectious and potentially more dangerous Delta variant is rapidly spreading in North Carolina and across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified the Delta variant as a “variant of concern” because it spreads faster than current COVID-19 variants, and early studies have also shown a possible increased risk of hospitalization in people infected with the Delta variant.

“Don’t wait to vaccinate. Serious illness, hospitalization, death and the long-term effects experienced by many who have had COVID-19 are preventable with vaccines,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “Protect yourself and those you love by getting vaccinated now.”

Since May, more than 99% of new cases in North Carolina have occurred in people who are not fully vaccinated. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is easy and safe. Vaccines are proven to be effective against COVID-19 and its variants. More than 150 million Americans have been safely vaccinated are protected from COVID-19 related hospitalization and death. North Carolinians can go to MySpot.nc.gov to find a vaccine location.

“Vaccines remain the best protection against COVID-19, including against the Delta variant,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore. “Nationwide, more than 50% of new cases are now caused by the Delta variant, and the number of Delta variant cases is rapidly increasing in North Carolina.”

While the state’s trends are far below where they were at the height of the pandemic, cases increased by 12% the week ending on July 3 compared to the previous seven days, and hospitalizations have increased by 8% over the past seven days. The state’s sampling of wastewater treatment plants also shows recent increasing of viral particles in four locations since June 24.

Those who have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccines must continue to practice the 3 W’s – wearing a mask, waiting six feet from others and washing hands often – to protect themselves, their families and their communities from the virus. People should also seek testing for COVID-19 if they develop COVID-like symptoms or if they have not yet been vaccinated and are exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for children over the age of 12, and NCDHHS has provided safety guidelines for schools to keep children safe, in addition to mask requirements in schools and other specific settings. K-12 public schools can also participate in the COVID-19 Rapid Testing in Schools Program to provide on-site testing at no cost to parents, staff or the district.
Feel free to share any post from the WKRK website that you feel is beneficial to your community. We encourage input from local law enforcement, government officials, emergency management officials, schools and other public service organizations. To send us information, use the form on our Contact Us page.

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015


    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Closings & Traffic
  • Missing Pets
  • Shop Local
  • Contact Us