Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Public Health Department (CCPHD) implores all county residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and wear a mask in public places to protect themselves and their community against the COVID-19 virus.
Chatham County recently saw its first deaths due to COVID-19 since May as case numbers are increasing at a level not seen since the county’s previous peak in January. Other facts:
* Since early July, nearly a quarter of COVID-19 cases in Chatham County have been among children under age 18.
* The average patient hospitalized from COVID-19 in North Carolina is in their forties, down from above 60 earlier in the pandemic.
* The average total cost of these hospitalizations is in the tens of thousands, with an out-of-pocket cost of more than $1,000.
(Source: NCDHHS 8.30.21)
A new weekly surveillance report from the NC Department of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) revealed some more data. Read the full report here.
* Unvaccinated individuals are almost 4.5 times or 440% as likely to get COVID-19 as vaccinated individuals.
* Unvaccinated individuals are 15.4 times or 1,540% as likely to die of COVID-19 as vaccinated individuals.
“COVID-19 deaths are no longer mainly in nursing homes. They are in the community and among the unvaccinated,” said Chatham County Public Health Director Mike Zelek. “The facts are clear: those who are unvaccinated are much more likely to get COVID-19, spread it to others, get very sick and die from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is how we end this pandemic and avoid preventable deaths.”
Vaccination continues to be the most effective tool for preventing COVID-19 disease, hospitalization and death. There are many regularly-open options for vaccination in Chatham County. Visit www.vaccines.gov to find a location.
New Vaccination Options
New pop-up vaccine clinics are operating in the next two weeks across Chatham County:
* Thursday, September 2, 8:30 AM to 4 PM, in partnership with Optum Health
* Old Agriculture Building, 65 E. Chatham Street, Pittsboro 8:30AM-4:00PM
* Tuesday, September 7th and Thursday, September 9th, 4 PM to 7 PM, in partnership with NCDHHS
* Northwood High School, 310 Northwood High School Road, Pittsboro
* Seaforth High School, 444 Seaforth Road, Pittsboro
* Wednesday, September 8th and Friday, September 10th, 4 PM to 7 PM, in partnership with NCDHHS
* Chatham Central High School, 14950 NC Highway 902, Bear Creek
* Jordan-Matthews High School, 910 E. Cardinal Street, Siler City
The Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available at these public events. No appointment is needed, and second doses will be available at the same locations.
New COVID-19 Testing Options
The CCPHD is working with Optum Health to establish additional no-cost COVID-19 testing options in Pittsboro and Siler City. Starting today and going through at least October 6th, Optum Health will be offering testing each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 PM to 6 PM at the Old Agriculture Building at 65 E. Chatham Street, Pittsboro. Plans are in the works to offer a similar testing site in Siler City. Residents can visit here to see a regularly-updated list of COVID-19 testing options.
If residents have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, they can call the CCPHD COVID-19 Vaccine Infoline at (919) 545-8323.
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and the CCPHD’s vaccination plans, visit here. To learn more about the Chatham County Public Health Department, visit here or on Facebook.