Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Covid cases have continued to decline drastically in the United States, North Carolina and Swain County, as the Delta variant seems to have taken its course.
As of Tuesday, Swain County had 27 positive cases over the past 14 days with 10 of those over the last 7 days and just two new cases reported on Tuesday.
The county did see one additional death due to the virus, with a total of 23 deaths since the pandemic began.
Statewide, there were just 1,340 newly reported cases on Tuesday with a 6% daily percent positive among those tested for the virus. There were 1,443 people in the hospital with the virus in North Carolina. Since the pandemic began, there have been 17,888 people in the state to lose their lives because of the virus.
Swain County’s rate of fully vaccinated people (aged 12+) is at 50% (including the Qualla Boundary).
In North Carolina, 66% of people able to get the vaccine are fully immunized.
More qualify for the boosters
Covid-19 vaccine booster shots are now available to more people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized and the Centers for Disease Control has recommended Moderna and Johnson and Johnson booster shots, with Pfizer already having been approved.
Additionally, people can receive any brand of the vaccine as a booster after six months of their final initial doses.
In addition to those who are immunocompromised, people aged 65 and older, as well as older adults with underlying health conditions are encouraged to receive a booster. The shots are also available to people age 18 and older who live or work in high-risk environments of transmission.
“Vaccinations are available at the health department and surrounding county health departments, as well as pharmacies, doctor offices and EBCI,” shared Swain County Health Director Alison Cochran, MHS, REHS by email. “We expect Pfizer to be approved next week for children ages 5-11. The health department will administer Pfizer ages 5 and up and we will post information on our Facebook page.”
Visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines for information on where to get your Covid-19 vaccine.
Swain County Health Department has Moderna vaccines available, with boosters available for the immunocompromised. To schedule an appointment, call 488-3198.
“If you aren’t yet vaccinated, don’t wait," NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said in a news release last week. "We are seeing this virus attack those who are unvaccinated at a much higher rate than those who are vaccinated.”
Children to be able to get vaccine
State officials are laying the groundwork to make the first wave of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines available to children aged 5-11 once they gain approval from the federal government, which is anticipated to move forward within the next week. On Tuesday, a panel of U.S. FDA health advisers endorsed the kid-sized dose of the vaccine for children. Nationwide, more than 100 children 5-11 have died from the virus.
A study of more than 2,000 children found the vaccine to be safe and effective with side effects similar to those in adults: sore arm, and mild fatigue, fever and chills for 24 hours, according to the CDC.
Moderna has also announced it will seek authorization for vaccines for children.
Free testing site
Swain County Health Department continues to offer a free Covid-19 testing site on Tuesdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and Fridays 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Swain County Recreation Center (240 West Deep Creek Road).
While walk-ins are accepted, we encourage residents to register and schedule an appointment at lhi.care/covidtesting or call (877)562-4850. Registering ahead of time will speed up your testing process. Rapid test results will be complete within 30 minutes and PCR tests will be sent out to a lab and can take 3 to 5 days.
Drive thru clinic in Franklin
On Monday, Nov. 1, FEMA will set up a no-cost, mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Angel Medical Center, in the parking lot at 56 Medical Park Drive, Franklin, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
A drive-through option will be available for those who prefer to remain in their car.
No appointment is needed and all three approved COVID vaccines will be available. Approved booster shots and childrens vaccines will also be available for age groups approved by the NC Department of Health and Human Services.