Pittsboro, NC – Despite a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, no Chatham County residents have died with COVID-19 since May 21. The source of this information is the NC Department of Health & Human Services. The most recent data, dated July 30, also shows that those under the age of 50 are at the lowest risk.
In a county with an estimated population of 75,000 there have been 4,925 COVID-19 cases (~6.5% of the population) and 89 deaths (~1.8% of those with COVID-19). Of the 4,925 cases, 4,836 people have recovered.
The virus has been most deadly for those over 65 years of age. Those under 50 faced little to no risk.
The biggest number of Chatham County residents who died with COVID-19 happened early in the life of the pandemic. A couple of senior care centers in the county suffered a large percentage of death. Nineteen deaths occurred at the Laurels of Chatham.
As of this Friday, 38,018 Chatham County residents (51%) have been vaccinated with at least one dose.
According to an analysis of recent COVID-19 cases and vaccination data conducted by the Chatham County Public Health Department, 94% of Chatham County’s confirmed COVID-19 cases between May 1, 2021 and July 13, 2021 were in individuals not fully vaccinated against the virus.
In the last fourteen days, 123 new COVID cases have been reported in Chatham County, per NC DHHS. Despite this increase in cases, there have been no reported deaths with COVID-19.
There is currently a push by some to reinstate a masking mandate. Telling people they have to be masked regardless of vaccination status has no basis in evidence. The CDC could not come up with one piece of research to support that approach. The Washington Post got its hands on the internal CDC deck used to support the re-masking, even for vaccinated folks, decision.
Any person who is worried should get vaccinated.
Everyone ages 12 and up are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and everyone ages 18 and up are eligible to receive the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Many options exist in Chatham County, including:
Chatham County Public Health Department clinic (Moderna): 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 1000 S. Tenth Ave., Siler CityGoldston Town Hall (StarMed Healthcare) (Pfizer): 2-7 p.m.; 40 Coral Avenue #A, GoldstonTo see a full list, visit vaccines.gov.
Current data shows that the Delta variant is only slightly more transmissible, it has far less rates of serious illness, it does not make people more infectious, vaccinated or not.
Contrary to the misinformation being spread by many, including the so-called experts, the research to date on the Delta variant shows:
It has a lower hospitalization and death rate.It is perhaps somewhat more transmissible.It does not result in substantially higher viral loads.Vaccines are only marginally less effective against Delta infections.It does not have a worse impact on children.
