Cases of COVID, hospitalizations and percent positive COVID tests in NC have decreased and stayed stable at relatively low levels this week. Vaccination numbers increased slowly with NC having 44% of the total population and 81% of persons age 65 years and older now fully vaccinated. Vaccination continues for 12-15 year olds and counting full vaccination for those 12 years of age and above the rate is up to 51%. NC is now planning a lottery for vaccinated persons.
CDC guidelines for appropriate behavior to minimize transmission of COVID infections can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html. Please see the chart attached to the newsletter about activities deemed safe by the CDC for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons. Unvaccinated persons should still plan to wear masks at most gatherings per this advice. Friends are encouraged to read these guidelines to help them decide what activities are appropriate for each family group. Those persons with potentially immuno-compromising conditions, including advanced age, diabetes and autoimmune disorders, should check with their health care advisors regarding their individual risks.
Friends are advised that there continue to be circulating cases of COVID (cough , fever, shortness of breath) and symptomatic persons still need to be tested and treated regardless of vaccination status.
Cone Health continues to vaccinate persons 12 year old and up at their vaccination sites. This can be done with an appointment , though walk in vaccinations are currently welcomed. As of today they have many vaccine appointments available . Cone is additionally doing some community vaccination clinics at high school and church locations. Those can be reviewed at their web site.They have Moderna , J and J (must call 336-890-1188 to make an appointment for this vaccine)and Pzifer vaccines depending on what site (only Pfizer vaccine approved for 12-17 year olds) you sign up for. The Cone Health web site is https://www.conehealth.comcovid-19-information/covid-19-vaccine-information/. Appointments can also be made by phone at 336-890-1188 Monday through Fridays 7 am -7 pm.
Guilford County sign ups may be done at www.healthyguilford.com (Email address required) or by phone 336-641-7944, option 2. Phone appointments must be made 8 am-5pm Monday through Friday. They have Pfizer Moderna and J & J vaccines and a person may choose which vaccine they sign up for. Group appointments can now be scheduled. The vaccination site is now mainly the Greensboro Coliseum. People can subscribe to updates about vaccine availability and appointment openings from the Guilford Health Department by texting GC19( or GC19S for Spanish) to 888777.They are now also doing walk-in appointments and they have another organization on their web site named Star Med which is giving all three vaccinations at a few different sites. Their phone number is 980-445-9818.
The deadline for enrolling in an Affordable Care Health(Obama Care) plan has now been extended to August 15th. Some additional subsidies have been added to make the plans even more affordable. The site to investigate insurance from this source is healthcare.gov.
Pharmacy supplies of vaccine can still be found at vaccinefinder.org. including for persons 12 and older. You can specify what vaccine you prefer. Walgreens and CVS will let you sign up for a vaccine at Walgreens.com or CVS.com after setting up an account with them. Other pharmacies have similar sign up opportunities.
The NC site which helps persons find a vaccination site is https://myspot.nc.gov/. This site will also show you where vaccines are available close to your zip code. You can also see if you might be eligible for a $25 gift card for getting a vaccine. NC has said all groups are now eligible , including those age 12 and older, for vaccine. There is also a hotline for help/questions which is 888-675-4567.