Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The North Carolina COVID-19 Alert System reflects the downward trends in the spread of the virus.

Decreasing trends in numbers of COVID-19 cases are reported; of people being hospitalized with COVID-19; of people in intensive care units and in the percent of tests that are positive. Case rates are down more than 15-fold in long-term care facility settings.

Across the state, only six counties show red (critical), a decrease from 27 at Feb. 22. Orange (substantial) counties now number 34 and yellow, the lowest rating, is found in 60 counties.

In the northeast region, two counties stay the same: Dare at orange and Hyde at yellow (significant). Currituck and Camden moved from red to orange. Tyrrell and Pasquotank moved to yellow from orange.

In long-term care facilities, the rapid declines in case numbers can be attributed to early vaccination prioritization for residents and staff and decreasing community transmission. More than 205,000 vaccines have been administered to long-term care staff and residents.

Across the United States, an average of 2 million people a day are getting vaccinated.

In North Carolina, vaccinations are available for Phase 1, 2 and 3. These phases include health care workers, long-term care staff and residents; anyone 65 years or older, regardless of health status or living situation; and frontline essential workers.

Essential workers as defined by the state are those who work in critical manufacturing, education, essential goods (including grocery stores, pharmacies, food service and gas stations), government and community service organizations, churches, public health, public safety and transportation.

Across North Carolina, 11,446 people have died from coronavirus as of March 5.

People hospitalized with COVID-19 number 1,226.

New cases numbered 2,093 on March 5 a nd the percentage of positive tests to the number of tests taken is 4.3%, under the 5% goal.

Dare County – As of March 4, 2021, Dare County’s death count remains at 14 persons.

The total number of cumulative COVID-19 cases in Dare County is 2,796. On March 4, seven new cases were reported with five residents 17 and under and two residents 25 to 49 years of age.

Active positive resident cases number 33 according to the county’s dashboard, with 32 in home isolation and three hospitalized.

As of March 5, 9,656 first doses of coronavirus vaccine have been administered in Dare County. Second doses numbering 6,612 have been administered, according to the state’s dashboard.

As of March 1, Peak Resources in Nags Head and Spring Arbor in Kill Devil Hills remain on the outbreak list as does the Dare County Detention Center.

Hyde County – In Hyde County, telephone numbers for registering for a vaccination and to make an appointment are 252-926-4467 on the mainland and 252-489-3622 on Ocracoke.

On March 5, Hyde County Health Department reported 641 total cumulative cases with two active positive cases. Deaths remain at eight persons. Some 1,416 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered and 858 second doses, according to the state’s vaccine page.

Tyrrell County – Martin-Tyrrell-Washington Health District writes that Tyrrell County, on March 4, has 13 active COVID-19 cases. Six individuals have died in the county due to coronavirus. One new case was reported.

Tyrrell House, a residential care facility, remains on the congregant living outbreak list.

In Tyrrell County, 687 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 478 second doses have been administered as of March 5, on the state’s dashboard.

Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank counties – Albemarle Regional Health Services has posted the following case information as of Feb. 26:

Camden: 592 lab-confirmed cases, with 19 cases now active. Camden County has lost five people to the coronavirus.

Currituck: 1,392 total lab-confirmed cases are counted. Some 24 cases are active. Currituck County has lost 15 people to coronavirus. Currituck Health and Rehabilitation Center remains on the outbreak list.

Pasquotank: 3,080 lab-confirmed cases. Active cases number 35. COVID-related deaths in the county number 78 people. In Pasquotank, 9,469 vaccine first doses and 6,052 second doses have been administered, according to the state’s dashboard. Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation, Citadel Elizabeth City, Waterbrooke and Brookdale Elizabeth City remain on the congregant living outbreak list.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about ivermectin:

“There seems to be a growing interest in a drug called ivermectin to treat humans with COVID-19. Ivermectin is often used in the U.S. to treat or prevent parasites in animals. The FDA has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical support and been hospitalized after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for horses.

“Here’s What You Need to Know about Ivermectin:

“FDA has not approved ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID-19 in humans. Ivermectin tablets are approved at very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical (on the skin) formulations for head lice and skin conditions like rosacea. Ivermectin is not an anti-viral (a drug for treating viruses).

“Taking large doses of this drug is dangerous and can cause serious harm.

“If you have a prescription for ivermectin for an FDA-approved use, get it from a legitimate source and take it exactly as prescribed.

“Never use medications intended for animals on yourself. Ivermectin preparations for animals are very different from those approved for humans.”

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.