Regional COVID-19 update

Published 7:59 am Wednesday, September 29, 2021

: This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. In this view, the protein particles E, S, and M, also located on the outer surface of the particle, have all been labeled as well. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

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“We are continuing to see a high number of active cases across the region, mainly affecting those who have not been vaccinated,” states R. Battle Betts Jr., director of Albemarle Regional Health Services. “Our local data shows that this vaccine is working and is your best protection.”

Wes Gray with Martin-Tyrrell-Washington District Health echoes the same advice: “The best way to protect yourself is through vaccination. Patients can schedule an appointment for a free COVID-19 vaccine … at any of our clinics in Plymouth, Williamston and Columbia by calling 252-793-3023.”

Dare County’s bulletin issued around 4 p.m., Tuesday reports “Fortunately, the number of new COVID-19 cases has decreased for the past two weeks, however Dare County continues to experience widespread community transmission of the COVID-19 virus . . . We are hopeful with continued practice of mitigation measures, including getting vaccinated, masking, physical distancing and good hand hygiene, we will continue to see new case numbers decrease.”

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Statewide, hospitalization numbers are trending down but more new cases and deaths are reported.

On Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, the NC. Department of Health and Human Services reported 3,469 new COVID-19 cases. That’s another 804 new cases since Monday.

Coronavirus-related deaths number 16,285 since May 2020. Another 50 deaths were reported Tuesday. In September, more than 1,200 people have died due to COVID-19. The News & Observer reports that is the third-deadliest pandemic month.

Some 3,073 people are hospitalized with the coronavirus across North Carolina. Hospitalizations are trending down. Statewide, 2,032 ICU beds are occupied; 334 are available; and 1,121 are unreported or unstaffed.

Across North Carolina, 69% of the population has received one vaccine shot while 64% are fully vaccinated.

On Sept. 28, 2021, Dare County reported 97 residents with active positive cases with 84 people in home isolation and 13 hospitalized. On Sept. 22, the county reported one death, bringing the total coronavirus-related deaths in the county since May 2020 to 19.

For the past week, Dare is reporting 157 new cases.

Dare County has reported 70% of Dare’s population has at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot and 66% are fully vaccinated.

In Hyde County, 29 residents have active positive cases. Between Sept. 21 and Sept. 24, another resident of Hyde County passed away due to COVID-19. Total deaths in the county now number 12.

Tyrrell County, as of Monday, Sept. 27, has 29 residents with active positive cases, including six new cases added over last weekend. During the pandemic, the county has recorded 516 total cases and six deaths. On the basis of 4,016 population, Tyrrell has 48% with one shot of vaccine and 43% fully vaccinated. As of Sept. 21, Tyrrell House has an ongoing outbreak with a total of two COVID-19 cases

Albemarle Regional Health Services delivered the following information as of Sept. 24.

Currituck County has 96 residents with active cases. The county has recorded 23 deaths due to coronavirus. Currituck Health and Rehabilitation reported four cases.

Camden County has 42 residents with active cases and has recorded eight deaths.

Pasquotank County has 193 active cases and 98 deaths recorded. Additionally, the following congregant living facilities have on-going outbreaks. The numbers indicate the total number of COVID-19 cases since the start of the outbreak: Citadel of Elizabeth City, two residents; Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation, nine staff, 17 residents and one death; Heritage Care, two staff, 23 residents; and Waterbrooke, four staff and two residents.

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