Buncombe County COVID-19 Community Update Cases Triple

Buncombe County -- Buncombe County COVID-19 Community Update Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Update

for Jan. 4, 2022

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Extend Indoor Public Face Covering Requirement as COVID-19 Rates “Skyrocketing”

The percent positivity has doubled in a month.

“COVID-19 case rates are skyrocketing.” That’s how Public Health Director Stacie Saunders began her Jan. 4 briefing to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. “As of yesterday, we were experiencing 654 cases per 100,000 per week,” Saunders explained. “This is a tremendous increase from last month when the rate was around 200 per 100,000, and this is far greater than what we saw at the peak of the surge just a year ago.”  

As of Jan. 3, the percent positivity increased to 13.7%, more than double the case rate from a month ago. Hospitalizations have increased, and almost 10% of inpatient beds are occupied by patients with COVID-19 up from 6% two weeks ago. To date, 454 Buncombe County residents have died related to COVID-19.

Saunders recommended that the face covering requirement be extended because cases are exponentially increasing, the Omicron variant is far more contagious than previous iterations, hospitalizations are rising, and new at-home therapeutics are in limited supply. The Board of Commissioners voted to extend the face covering requirement in indoor public spaces through Feb. 16, 2022.

Dr. Bill Hathaway, Mission Hospital Chief Medical Officer, provided an update on hospitalizations: “The number of patients who are hospitalized who are vaccinated is a very, very small number compared the total populations - between 5 and 10%. Those who have been boosted comprise an even smaller number. The vaccines are safe and effective, and they work when it comes to decreasing serious illness, hospitalization, and death.”

As a result of the concerted effort by vaccine providers, about 1/3 of the Buncombe County pediatric population received their first dose in the last two months. Approximately 55% of adolescents 12-17 years have received at least one dose, 60% of those 18-24 years have received at least one dose, and 70% or more of populations 25 and older have received at least one dose. Overall, 71% of the eligible population (5 years and up) has received one dose of vaccine and 68% of the eligible population has received their initial series. More than 40% of the fully vaccinated population has received a third or booster dose.

Saunders also announced new planned testing initiatives for Buncombe County, including purchasing a supply of rapid at-home test kits for community distribution. Depending on vendor supply, the tests are expected to arrive in the next week. Upon receipt, tests will be distributed to existing to community partners to have rapid tests available at their locations for distribution and pick-up. These locations may include community centers, fire departments, homeless shelters, libraries, churches, vaccine events and through community health workers. Details will be finalized upon receipt of the test kits and are dependent on the quantity of tests obtained. In addition, prepackaged face coverings will be sent to selected community locations for distribution to the public.

Saunders provided tips for utilizing at-home rapid tests:

Results are dependent on obtaining a good sample. Follow the directions closely.
Rapid antigen at-home tests are most accurate when viral load is higher and when symptoms are present. They can be less accurate in those who do not have symptoms or who have lower viral loads.
Buncombe County Health and Human Services has also inquired about additional testing resources for limited time including additional N.C. Department of Health and Human Services resources and a FEMA team much like the one our area had for vaccine outreach. These two requests are pending.

If you are having symptoms consistent with COVID-19, get tested. Testing locations can be found at Find My Testing Site NC.

To find a vaccine provider near you, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines to search by zip code.

Dec. 21, 2021 Update: COVID-19 Rates Increase by Almost 50%, Hospitalizations Also Continue to Rise

After a short period of leveling, cases are on the rise again in Buncombe County. The local case rate grew to 232 new cases per 100,000 per week from 155 only a week prior. This indicates an almost 50% increase in cases in one week. The percent positivity is currently 5.6% and has remained fairly stable for over a week.

“New cases are quickly increasing for our community. This is a time when many are taking part in holiday events and parties and each one of those events increases the chances of being exposed to the virus,” stated Public Health Director Stacie Saunders. “This increased holiday activity coupled with a new more contagious variant means we will likely see many more people infected before and after the holiday.”

Additionally, hospitalizations are continuing to increase with over 6% of inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19, up from 4.7% last week. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) utilization also increased in the last week.

Public Health officials are reminding the community that there are ways to reduce your risk during the holidays:

Vaccinate: Before gathering, attending events, or traveling, get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Test: Get a COVID-19 test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household and before and after traveling, regardless of your vaccine status.
Mask: Wear a mask indoors in public, even if you are vaccinated.
People who are eligible for a booster are recommended to get their booster as soon as possible. Even with the new variant, boosters are showing to provide a significant level of protection.

“It’s been one year since Buncombe County Health and Human Services received our first shipment of vaccine. In this last year, we have successfully administered about 107,500 total doses of vaccine,” Saunders said. “And out of all those doses given, the vaccine dose that matters most today, is the one you haven’t gotten yet. If you have not started your vaccine series, now is the time. If you are eligible for your booster, now is the time.”

If you are traveling this holiday, please consider these recommendations to protect yourself during your travels:

Wear a mask while traveling. If possible, wear a medical grade mask.
Get tested 1-2 days before and 3-5 days after traveling, and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including boosters, and against flu.
Do not travel if you are not fully vaccinated and boosted. If you do travel and are not fully vaccinated and boosted, in addition to testing, stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if you test negative.
Follow CDC’s guidance for travel during COVID-19 and NCDHHS’s guidance for public transportation.
For people who are gathering with others during the holidays, please consider the following recommendations:

Require guests and family members to be vaccinated and boosted if eligible before the event.
Get tested 1-2 days before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.
Guests who are not fully vaccinated should wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others, especially when they are indoors. If possible, wear a medical grade mask.
Keep gatherings small and host gatherings outdoors, when possible.
If gathering indoors, use a space that is large enough to allow for physical distancing. Increase circulation of outdoor air by opening windows and doors. Follow CDC guidance on Improving Ventilation in Your Home.
If you are sick or have symptoms, do not host or attend a gathering. Get tested and seek treatment. More information on treatment is available at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/treatment
If you are having symptoms consistent with COVID-19, get tested. Testing locations can be found at Find My Testing Site NC. Individuals can also order free at-home tests using the Find My Testing Site NC website.

To find a vaccine provider near you, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines to search by Zip Code.

Dec. 14, 2021 Update: Declining COVID-19 Rates Offer Hope in Advance of the Holidays

Cases are declining in Buncombe County since the last week’s community update. Last week, we saw rates climb to 208 cases per 100,000, which was expected given that we were 10-12 days out from Thanksgiving. Since then, cases have gradually declined to 155 cases per 100,000.

The percent positivity has dropped just below 6%. Last week, the percent positivity was 6.6%. Weekly testing numbers still are steady with the last several weeks averaging between 5,000 and more than 6,000 tests performed weekly. Death rate decreased slightly from 1.1 per 100,000 to 0.8 per 100,000, and sadly, two deaths were reported to the dashboard in the last week. Hospitalizations decreased slightly but ICU utilization went up; however, both indicators are favorable at this time. 

Public Health Director Stacie Saunders says, “I am encouraged that we’ve seen a decline that seems to be holding, and I am hopeful that we will continue to see a decline, or at least a leveling, as we approach winter holidays when we may see another increase before entering 2022.”

Vaccination rates continue to increase steadily with the total population in Buncombe County at 67% partially vaccinated and 64% fully vaccinated. Regarding the eligible population, 5 years and older, 70% are partially vaccinated and 67% are fully vaccinated. If you or your child still need to get vaccinated, please do so as soon as possible in advance of holiday gatherings. Free COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone 5 and older at Buncombe County Health and Human Services between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville. No ID is required. Anyone 18 and older should get a booster six months after a two-dose series or two months after a single-dose vaccine. Learn more at www.buncombeready.org. Flu vaccines are also available to anyone six months and older.

Do spread cheer over the holidays by following the holiday guidance for large gatherings found on our website at www.buncombeready.org. As a reminder, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners extended the county-wide face covering requirement for all indoor public spaces through Jan. 5, 2022. The indoor mask requirement also extends to Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville, and Woodfin.