As of at present, Friday, July 8, Mecklenburg County is as soon as once more at CDC COVID-19 Community Level Medium/Yellow after only one week at COVID-19 Neighborhood Stage Low/Inexperienced.
The change from low to medium within the County displays an improve in constructive circumstances. The Omicron BA.5 variant presently represents the vast majority of new circumstances within the U.S. and is rising in prevalence regionally. Early proof suggests this subvariant is probably extra contagious and extra proof against immunity from vaccines or earlier COVID-19 sickness.
“Given the elevated exercise within our healthcare techniques and rising prevalence of BA.5, I’m involved this could escalate,” stated Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County Public Well being director. “Take steps now to shield your self and your family members—check earlier than you collect, rise up up to now together with your vaccines, and meet outside when potential.”
Indoor masking needs to be thought of for these at risk for severe sickness from COVID-19. Keep house in case you’re experiencing symptoms, even when it is only a scratchy throat otherwise you assume it is “simply allergic reactions.” Earlier than gathering, get up to date together with your COVID-19 vaccines, together with any recommended booster doses, to guard your self and your group.
The COVID-19 Neighborhood Stage software helps folks resolve what prevention steps to take based mostly on the newest COVID-19 knowledge of their group. Ranges could be low, medium, or excessive and are decided by taking a look at hospital beds getting used, hospital admissions, and the whole variety of new COVID-19 circumstances in an space. The next are CDC suggestions for folks residing in counties at COVID-19 Medium Neighborhood Stage:
- Keep updated with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Get examined in case you have signs.
- Observe CDC suggestions for isolation and quarantine, together with getting examined if you’re uncovered to COVID-19 or have signs of COVID-19.
- In case you are immunocompromised or excessive threat for extreme illness, have a plan for fast testing if wanted (e.g., having house checks or entry to testing) and discuss to your healthcare supplier about whether or not you’re a candidate for therapies like oral antivirals and monoclonal antibodies.
- Hold indoor areas ventilated when potential.
Everybody can take these precautions now to guard your self and others from COVID-19:
- Get vaccinated on the two Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) places (Southeast Well being Division, 249 Billingsley Highway, Charlotte and Northwest Well being Division, 2845 Beatties Ford Highway, Charlotte) or at a neighborhood supplier, pharmacy, or group clinic or occasion.
- Get examined in case you really feel ailing, both in individual at a provider or testing event or at home using a check equipment.
- Should you can not journey, request a cellular vaccination go to and order free at-home test kits delivered to your property.
- Should you really feel ailing and are at excessive threat of hospitalization, go to the federal Test to Treat locator to seek out places that supply testing, analysis, and remedy in a single place.
For extra details about Mecklenburg County’s COVID-19 indicators, vaccines, testing, remedy, and sources, go to mecknc.gov/COVID-19.
