This week in Guilford County, community level risk of Covid transmission is HIGH with an increased number of cases reported to the NC HHS , hospitalizations slightly increased and early warning indicators ( like wastewater viral particle numbers) increased. The NC Health and Human Services Dashboard is updated weekly on Wednesdays. CDC.gov can also be used to access more information on what actions to take based on each county’s current level of community spread and what personal actions to take if you yourself have a positive test result.

Vaccines are the best protection against serious COVID disease, hospitalization, and death. The CDC and FDA have approved the use of Moderna and Pfizer Covid vaccines for children in the 6 month to 5 year old age group. Patients should contact their pediatric providers to get information and schedule vaccinations. As it currently stands, the Moderna vaccine schedule is 2 vaccines, one month apart while the Pfizer schedule is 2 vaccines three weeks apart followed by a third dose two months after the second dose. The FDA and CDC have authorized the administration of a second COVID booster for those over age 50 and individuals 12 or older with an immuno-compromising condition. A first booster has been endorsed by the CDC for those in the 5-11 age group, as long as at least 5 months since the primary series was completed. Use the CDC COVID -19 booster tool at the CDC.gov site to learn if and when you can get boosters to stay up to date with your COVID -19 vaccinations.

The next COVID Medical Advisory Group meeting will be held Tuesday July 26 at 1:00 pm. Please reach out to Kat Rice or Janie Foy for the addition of any questions/issues you have for the meeting agenda.