NEW HANOVER — While New Hanover has remained at a relatively low risk for Covid-19 for four months, the CDC Community Tool has marked it “medium” as of Friday.
Metrics have increased after the July 4th holiday weekend, according to the county, with viral spread seeing an uptick across the area.
The CDC bases its community levels on case rate per 100,000, new hospital admissions per 100,000, and the percent of hospital beds used for people who have tested positive for Covid.
Case rates above 200 per 100,000 elevates the level to medium; New Hanover County is showing 232 per 100,00 for the week.
New Hanover County was last tracking medium infection rates at the beginning of March when the tool was initially launched. By March 10, it was back down to low levels.
Now measuring at an elevated risk, the county is asking individuals to be more aware and take precautions. This includes wearing face coverings in highly populated areas, washing hands thoroughly, and remaining at home if showing symptoms or testing positive for Covid-19.
Anyone with Covid who has an immunocompromised system is at a higher risk for severe illness, and the current medium level indicates they should avoid indoor public locations, on top of social distancing, wearing a mask and staying up to date on vaccines and boosters.
“Moving into the medium community level is not ideal,” Pandemic Operations manager Jon Campbell said in a media release, “but by working together and doing little things, we can get back to the low level and keep our community safe.”
Located at 1507 Greenfield St. PanOps has at-home rapid tests free of charge. Individuals with symptoms are asked to seek testing as to know how to proceed in day-to-day activities without spreading the virus.
The PanOps center also continues to administer vaccines and boosters. Appointments are not required but recommended by visiting TakeMyShot.NC.gov. Vaccines and boosters are available to the public Mondays and Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m; and Fridays, 1-5 p.m.
PanOps offers no-cost rapid testing on site on Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Fridays, 9 a.m. – noon.
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