COVID numbers saved in North Carolina Where is it spreading fastest?

The number of cases is increasing again and the number of vaccinations continues to lag behind. Public health officials are warning of the new, more contagious variant of the Delta coronavirus which now accounts for most cases in North Carolina.

Warnings like these from state officials have become almost standard fare since the pandemic hit North Carolina 16 months ago. But things are indeed getting worse.

“After months of decline, North Carolina is experiencing a rapid increase in the spread of COVID-19 among those who are not vaccinated,” the State Department of Health and Human Services said Friday. The number of people hospitalized has doubled in the past two weeks and the number of new weekly cases is up 66%.

“Unvaccinated North Carolinians get needlessly ill, are hospitalized and die,” DHHS Secretary Dr Mandy Cohen said in a press release. “Don’t wait to get vaccinated. And if you haven’t been vaccinated, you must wear a mask indoors at all times when you are in public areas.”

About 94% of new cases are in people who are not fully vaccinated, DHHS said.

A new county-by-county map shows where the virus is spreading fastest and where communities face the highest risk. Compared to similar county vaccination data, counties where the virus spreads faster generally have lower vaccination rates.

The DHHS released its latest county-by-county map on Thursday. It shows a higher risk in more than half of the counties in the state. (Image courtesy DHHS)

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released weekly reports measuring the risk of COVID-19 by county. Just a few weeks ago, the color-coded map showed that most counties were seizing the virus, with no areas in the “red” with “critical impact”.

The map is based on several factors, including the number of cases per capita, the percentage of positive tests and the number of hospital beds available.

Richmond County, between Charlotte and Fayetteville, is the only county in the “red zone”. Richmond reported a positivity rate of 10.9%, up from 6.7% statewide, according to DHHS. The county also reported about 283 cases per 100,000 population, the second highest rate in the state. Graham County is slightly higher at 284.

In Richmond County, 35% of people are fully vaccinated, up from 46% statewide, according to DHHS data.

More than half of the counties in North Carolina had an increased risk, according to the DHHS map.

But it’s not all bad news. Five counties, all located in the western part of the state, are in the “green zone”. Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Henderson and Mitchell, are all in the “low impact” zone, according to the DHHS.

With the exception of Mitchell County, Green Counties all have higher vaccination rates, with at least 42% of adults fully vaccinated.

In Gaston County, outside of Charlotte, the percentage of positive rates crossed the 5% mark for the first time since May. This positive percentage gives public health officials an idea of ​​how the virus is being controlled. Higher numbers mean faster spread.

“The Delta variant is much more infectious and transmissible than the original strain,” Gaston County Public Health Medical Director Dr. Tia Robertson said in a statement. “The viral load builds up quickly, making it more contagious earlier in the illness.”

About 36% of Gaston County is fully vaccinated, according to DHHS. The county is listed in yellow for moderate impact on the DHHS map.

Throughout the state of Wilmington, New Hanover County is listed as having only a slight impact from the coronavirus with light yellow. But public health officials warn the situation could get worse.

“A month ago our trend of new cases was an average of 28 reported cases per week, but we saw 102 new cases reported last week,” said Deputy Director of Public Health Carla Turner.

“While we are still not sure how severe the Delta variant is in our community, it is clear that COVID-19 is still very much present and poses a threat,” Turner said. “Getting the vaccine has never been easier, so look for one to protect yourself.”