Cases of COVID, hospitalizations and percent positive COVID tests in NC have decreased and stayed stable at low levels this week. Vaccination numbers inched up with NC having 42% of the total population and 79% 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 49%. NC is now planning a lottery for vaccinated persons, which hasn’t affected vaccination numbers as yet. NC ranks 36th in the nation with respect to vaccination rate.
Find CDC guidelines for appropriate behavior to minimize transmission of COVID infections at: https://tinyurl.com/48d7p5sx Unvaccinated persons should still plan to wear masks at most gatherings per this advice. Friends are encouraged to read the guidelines to help them decide what activities are appropriate for each family group. Those persons with potentially immunocompromising 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. It is now estimated that the more contagious Delta variant of COVID will be the predominant strain circulating in the US in the next couple of weeks.
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 will be also be given. Appointments are preferred. As of today they have vaccine appointments available . Cone is additionally doing some community vaccination clinics at high school and church locations. 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.Cone Health website:https://tinyurl.com/d7ueuj4u Appointments can also be made by phone at 336-890-1188 Monday through Fridays 7 a.m -7 p.m.
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 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They have Pfizer and J & J vaccines and a person may choose which vaccine they sign up for. Group appointments can now be scheduled. The vaccination site in 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 15. Some additional subsidies have been added to make the plans even more affordable. The site to investigate insurance from this source is https://www.healthcare.gov/
Pharmacy supplies of vaccine can still be found at https://vaccinefinder.org including for persons 12 and older. 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. 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.