NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – While the number of COVID-19 cases in New Hanover County has steadily increased in recent weeks, the CDC’s community level for our area remains low, mainly because the local healthcare system is not being significantly impacted.
From March 25 until now, the percent positivity rate for PCR testing over a 14-day period has risen from 4.3 to 20.6 percent, while the average number of confirmed cases per day has grown from 9.7 to 61.5.
“We are certainly seeing more COVID tests come back positive, but thankfully a large portion of those infections have not led to hospitalizations,” said Pandemic Operations Manager Jon Campbell. “We are grateful that so many of our residents have gotten vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves and their loved ones. The Pandemic Operations Team is still on-site ready to offer vaccines or boosters to those who are eligible and we encourage anyone who has not taken advantage of this service to do so as soon as possible.”
Initial vaccines and boosters are being offered at the Pandemic Operations Center (1507 Greenfield Street) throughout the week. Appointments are recommended but not required and can be made by visiting TakeMyShot.NC.gov. Please note, the Pandemic Operations Center will change its hours of operations on Tuesday beginning next week. Vaccines and boosters will now be available during the following days and times:
- Mondays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Thursdays from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Fridays from 1-5 p.m.
Additionally, the Pandemic Operations Center is offering no cost rapid testing. Appointments are recommended and can be made by visiting this link, but again these are not required. Rapid tests will be available during the following days and times:
- Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Fridays from 9 a.m.-noon
In addition to continuing to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 locally and its variants worldwide, the Pandemic Operations Team is also gathering the latest information about the Monkeypox virus which has increased recently in 23 countries around the globe as of May 30. While eight states have reported at least one case in the past month, North Carolina has not had a verified case of the virus at this time.
Information from the World Health Organization and CDC are being reviewed by the Pandemic Operations Team and the latest information on Monkeypox will be provided to New Hanover County residents as necessary to ensure they understand this virus and any potential impacts.
“Based on studies and data being collected by the global scientific community, we know the transmission rate of Monkeypox is much lower than COVID-19 so we do not expect it to spread like COVID-19,” said Epidemiologist Ian Appling. “At this time, there is no threat here in New Hanover County, but we will continue to stay vigilant of any changes and be ready to take any necessary action.”
For more information on the Pandemic Operations Center and COVID-19 vaccines, boosters or testing, visit Health.NHCGov.com/Coronavirus or call the Coronavirus Call Center at 910-798-6800.
Low COVID-19 Community Level
Following its weekly review of county-specific data, the CDC has kept New Hanover County at a low COVID-19 community level. Recommended precautions for this level include being fully vaccinated and boosted, and testing for COVID if you develop symptoms. Mask usage at this community level is optional. The CDC plans to update community levels weekly, so residents can check the CDC website here to know the current community impact level.
COVID-19 Community Data, as of June 3:
- New Hanover County’s percent positivity over the past 14 days is 20.6 percent (this represents positive Molecular (PCR) tests as a percent of total PCR tests performed countywide).
- Over the past 14 days, 861 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the county which is an average of 61.5 cases per day.
- According to Novant Health NHRMC, as of May 23, the average daily number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized over the previous week was 12.
- Approximately 149,180 residents (about 64 percent) have been vaccinated with two doses or one dose of J&J, and 90,429 residents (about 39 percent) have been vaccinated with one booster or an additional dose.