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COVID-19 case numbers are rising in northeastern North Carolina.

In Dare County, from Dec. 23 through Dec. 29, new cases reported totaled 318.

As of Dec. 29, 2021, Dare County had 108 active positive cases with 93 in home isolation and 15 residents hospitalized. COVID-19 deaths in the county remain the same at 26.

In Dare County, 74% of population has at least one dose and 70% are fully vaccinated.

The Vidant Health regional system provides services to 29 eastern North Carolina counties.

Since Nov. 28, Vidant Health has seen a 191% increase in the weekly average of COVID cases in the region.

Vidant has also experienced a 128% increase in the total number of COVID-positive hospitalized inpatients in its eight hospitals. On Dec. 29, 105 people were hospitalized with 31 in ICUs and 18 using ventilators. On Nov. 28, the numbers were 46 hospitalized, 16 in ICUs and 10 on ventilators.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, Dec. 29, reported 9,377 new COVID-19 cases, up from 3,698 the day before. The News and Observer reports that is the highest single-day jump since September.

The CDC has updated and shortened the recommended isolation and quarantine periods for COVID-19 in the general population to five days. NC DHHS has adopted the CDC guidance as of Dec. 28, 2021, reports the Dare County Bulletin on the same date. CDC guidance details can be found at cdc.gov/media/releases.

The guidance refers to symptoms of COVID-19. See the bottom of this article for a list of symptoms as defined by the CDC.

Northeast NC Region

Vaccination numbers come from the state’s COVID-19 Dashboard, unless noted otherwise.

Hyde County as of Dec. 22, 2021

Active Cases: 8 residents

Deaths: 13 residents, remains the same

Vaccinated: 67% one dose; 63% fully

Tyrrell County as of Dec. 29, 2021

Active Cases: 6 residents

Deaths: 7 residents, remains same

Vaccinated: 50% one dose; 47% fully, from Martin-Tyrrell-Washington District Health

Tyrrell House has a total of 3 active staff cases and 13 resident cases

Currituck as of Dec. 28, 2021

Active cases: 72 residents

Deaths: 27 residents, remains same

Vaccinated: 44% one dose; 40% fully

Camden as of Dec. 28, 2021

Active Cases: 21 residents

Deaths: 9 residents, remains same.

Vaccinated: 50% one dose, 49% fully

Pasquotank as of Dec. 28, 2021

Active Cases: 56 residents

Deaths: 116 residents, remains same.

Vaccinated: 56% one dose; 50% fully.

COVID-19 symptoms

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Fever or chills

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

Headache

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Congestion or runny nose

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

Trouble breathing

Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

New confusion

Inability to wake or stay awake

Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds, depending on skin tone

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