Cases of COVID and hospitalizations continued to significantly increase in the last week, believed to be due to the more infectious Delta variant. According to the Greensboro News and Record Tuesday morning, the portion of people tested for the virus who were found to be positive jumped to 5.8%, above the 5% benchmark at which the virus is thought to be contained.
Vaccination rates increased only slightly last week with 46% of the NC’s total population and 47% of Guilford County’s total population now fully vaccinated. Vaccination continues to be the best way to protect against severe COVID infection and has been proven far safer than infection with the coronavirus.
Vaccine information remains much the same as in previous issues of the newsletter. Many doctor’s offices are starting to offer vaccines in their offices, but the Cone and Guilford County web sites continue to offer information and appointments.
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 healthcare.gov
We will continue to hold semi-programmed meetings for worship on Sundays at 10 a.m. in person outdoors and simultaneously by Zoom and Facebook Live. This remains the safest way for a large group of people, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to be together. If bad weather threatens, semi-programmed meeting for worship will take place only virtually. (Check the website or Facebook page for weather-related changes.) We will continue to hold unprogrammed meetings for worship in person outdoors on Sundays from 9 – 9:45 a.m.; these meetings are typically quite small and can move to the meeting room in the event of inclement weather. Please see the document attached in the newsletter email for guidance about use of other spaces in the meeting house for small group activities.
Thank you for your care and patience.
NGFM COVID Medical Advisors