The latest COVID-19 report shows Moore County is no longer in the red | Coronavirus News

Currently, 60 counties are yellow, indicating that the community is “significantly expanded.” According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, counties are categorized based on “case rate, percentage of positive tests, and hospital impact within the county.”

The county had an average of about 19 new infections per day in the seven days to Friday, down from the record average of 94 cases per day on January 8. The county’s positive rate for coronavirus testing reached a record high of 19.4%. As of January 11, it was about 10.6%, more than double the state-wide average of 4.3%.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, more than 8,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Moore County, of which about 10 percent were added in February. The county is approaching the first anniversary of the first confirmed case involving a Southern Pines gynecologist who tested positive on March 18, 2020.

According to DHHS, at least 177 coronavirus-related deaths have been associated with the county since April.

More than 1,000 single coronavirus vaccines developed by Johnson & Johnson have arrived in Moore County this week.

Dose was sent to First Health Moore Regional Hospital, which administers shots to eligible residents during a semi-weekly consultation at Pinehurst’s Fairburn. Emily Sloan, spokeswoman for First Health, said the hospital will begin using the vaccine next week.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration on Saturday. Unlike previously licensed Pfizer and Moderna products, the vaccine requires a single vaccination and does not need to be stored at ultra-low temperatures.

While other vaccines have shown slightly better performance in clinical trials, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been shown to remain more than 80% effective in preventing serious illness.

“It’s very effective at keeping people away from the hospital and 100% effective at preventing death,” Moore County Health Director Robert Whitman said in a presentation to the County Commissioner on Tuesday. It was. “This is a very good vaccine.”

The Department of Health immunizes residents by appointment in Carthage. Matthew Garner, a spokesman for the agency, said his agency had not yet received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

“The state didn’t tell us exactly when we could expect shipments, but the early signs are that it could be later this month or early April,” Garner said in an email. wrote.

As of Friday, 13,313 locals (about 13.6% of the county’s population) had been vaccinated with both doses of the two-shot vaccine, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Over 10,500 residents are waiting for a second injection. The second injection should be given 3-4 weeks after the first dose.

Residents no longer need to pre-register for shots in Moore County.

Starting Tuesday, those currently eligible for vaccination can call 910-947-SHOT to make an appointment through the health department. The agency manages doses on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the Carthaginian office and adjacent agricultural center building.

“The number of booking slots is based on the vaccine dose we have,” the Department of Health said in a news release announcing the new process. “Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.”

The department plans to inoculate 600 two-shot vaccines next week.

FirstHealth of the Carolinas will launch an online portal for self-scheduled vaccinations at Fairburn. Eligible residents will soon be able to sign up for vaccination by completing the questionnaire at. firsthealth.org/shot..

Other Moore County companies receive limited shipments of vaccines. Pinehurst Medical Clinic, Seven Lakes Prescription Shoppe, Walgreens, and Harris Teeter will each be given 100 times next week.

All front-line key workers in North Carolina were eligible for vaccination on Wednesday. Some of the newly eligible individuals are:

• Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel

• Security guards and detainees

• Employees of restaurants, pharmacies and grocery stores

• Farmers and people working in food processing factories

• Mail carrier and other postal workers

• Social workers, court workers, people working in homeless shelters

• Veterinarians and their staff

• Mechanics, public transport drivers, DMV employees, and workers who maintain highway infrastructure

• University instructors and support staff

• Clergy and elected officials

Vaccinations continue to be open to previously qualified residents, including front-line healthcare professionals, caregivers, kindergarten to high school employees, and all adults aged 65 and over. On March 24, the state plans to extend its eligibility to sick individuals and residents of “specific congregation settings.”

A drive-through test event is scheduled for every Friday of this month at the Moore County Health Department.

The test will take place on March 12, March 19, and March 26, from 9 am to 1 pm, at the agency’s office, located 700 blocks on Pinehurst Avenue in Carsage. Each event will be provided free of charge to residents through a partnership between the Health Department and Fason’s Gossen Medical Center. Individuals must call 910-267-2044 to pre-register.