From Staff Reports

COVID-19 cases in Buncombe County have surged by 54 percent recently, according to county Public Health Director Stacie Saunders.

What’s more, Buncombe has surpassed 30,000 total coronavirus cases during the pandemic, Saunders told the county Board of Commissioners in a biweekly briefing on Dec. 7.

“Since identifying the first case of COVID-19 in Buncombe County, 440 Buncombe County residents have died from COVID-19 related causes, and there have been 30,384 confirmed cases,” Saunders said in her report.

“The case rate has increased 54 percent over the last week, with 208 cases per 100,000 people. 

“Just last week, 590 new cases were identified and there were three deaths. The positivity rate is 6.6 percent. Hospitalizations have risen from 2.8 percent of inpatient beds occupied with COVID-19 patients before Thanksgiving to almost 5 percent of inpatient beds as of Monday (Dec. 6). The CDC still considers Buncombe County an area of high transmission.

“Please do your part to help make the upcoming holidays as healthy and safe as possible,” Saunders asserted.

“If you are not already vaccinated, then make this the gift you give to yourself and those that love you. 

“While we make it through the holidays and the potential for higher case rates, remember our face-covering requirement and wear a mask when in indoor public spaces. 

“Always remember to keep distance between and others not in your household when shopping or visiting indoor spaces. And for lots of good reasons this season, wash those hands!”

She added, “While the omicron variant has not been identified in North Carolina at this time, it is expected that it is already circulating. Vaccines, masking, ventilation, social-distancing and handwashing can help curb the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, as well as the flu, which is starting to show signs of activity in the state at higher levels than last year.”

At that point, Saunders noted, “Buncombe County Health and Human Services has administered 106,364 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines since December 2020. Buncombe County and partners at Caramedics have provided 101 doses to homebound individuals since October. Anyone who needs homebound vaccine administration can call 419-0095 to schedule a visit.

“Free COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone (ages) 5 and older at Buncombe County Health and Human Services between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville. No ID is required.”

What’s more, she said, “Anyone 18 and older should get a booster six months after a two-dose series or two months after a single-dose vaccine. Learn more at www.buncombeready.org. 

“Flu vaccines are also available to anyone six months and older.

“The county is partnering with MAHEC and FEMA to provide vaccines and boosters in the community.

“Last week, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners extended the countywide face-covering requirement for all indoor public spaces through Jan. 5, 2022,” Saunders said, in concluding her briefing. “The indoor mask requirement also extends to Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville and Woodfin.”