Buncombe County Covid Trends Show No Major Change

Vaccination remains critical to keep moving in favorable direction.

Buncombe County saw the Covid-19 case rate increase from 107 the first week in November 2021 to 113 per 100,000 during the second week in November. The percent positivity has remained fairly constant for several days; as of Nov. 9 it is at 4.4%, a decrease from the previous week’s 4.7%. It is likely that these trends will continue to go up and down with some plateauing as we continue the slow decline in transmission.

The death rate for Buncombe County residents has decreased: four deaths were reported in the first week of Nov., bringing the death rate per 100,000 down to 1.5 from 2.7 deaths previously. Hospitalizations continue to be low and are trending favorably at this time.

In Buncombe County, the vaccination rate for total the population continues to slowly increase with 64% of the total population partially vaccinated and 61% fully vaccinated.

November – December Saturday School Outreach Events

Saturday School Outreach Events will take place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the following Asheville City and Buncombe County schools:

• Nov. 13, 2021 – Asheville Middle School
• Nov. 20, 2021 – North Buncombe High School
• Dec. 4, 2021 – Clyde A. Erwin High (BCHHS) and T.C. Roberson High School (MAHEC/FEMA)
• Dec. 11, 2021 – Charles D. Owen High (BCHHS) and A.C. Reynolds High School (MAHEC/FEMA)

Outreach events are open to everyone 5 years and older, no appointment needed. You will be asked to complete a brief registration form upon arrival. If you need your booster, please bring your vaccination card so your booster can be documented appropriately. All vaccines will be available at these events. Please bring your insurance card if you have one.

Vaccine Administration for 5–11 year olds

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended, that children 5 to 11 years receive a lower-dose Pfizer vaccine.

Buncombe County HHS and many other providers in our community began vaccine administration to 5-11-year-olds last week with many providers coming online and outreach events scheduled for the coming weeks. BCHHS administered about 180 first doses to children in that age group, along with a first, second, or booster dose to an additional 90 parents, caregivers, and other adults at the BCHHS Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic at 40 Coxe Avenue.

Vaccine doses are widely available at doctor’s offices, hospitals, local pharmacies, and grocery stores. Covid-19 vaccines are free, regardless of insurance and immigration status; the only thing required for the pediatric dose is parental consent.

In light of the 240% increase in diagnosed cases of Covid-19 in children during the recent surge, BCHHS Public Health Director Stacie Saunders is urging parents to get their children vaccinated.

“The vaccine provides a safe, tested way to help keep school-aged children healthy and can help get kids back to safely being with their family and friends—which will be especially important during the upcoming holidays.”

Visit www.buncombeready.org for more information on local vaccination events and make plans today to get your children vaccinated.

Buncombe County Health & Human Services Vaccine Clinic

The clinic will be open every day except for November 11 in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday. Please bring your parking ticket with you to your appointment so you can get it validated on the way out. The week of November 15, the clinic will be open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Anyone who still needs a vaccine can use the NCDHHS Vaccine Finder by visiting www.yourspotyourshot.nc.gov.

Get Tested

Please continue to monitor your symptoms and get tested if you have symptoms consistent with Covid-19. StarMed offers testing at Harrah’s Event Center Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and on Sundays at A-B Tech from noon until 4 p.m. Testing locations can be found at Find My Testing Site NC, covid19.ncdhhs.gov.