FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2021 COVID-19 Burke County Media Briefing
Burke County’s Response to COVID-19
COVID-19 Information Contacts Public Information Line: 828-764-9150
Website: www.burkenc.org/COVID-19
Public Information Officer: Chae Moore, chae.moore@burkenc.org
•Burke County is currently at 15,220 cumulative cases. There are approximately 951 active cases. If you want to see a breakdown of the cases, please go visit the https://www.burkenc.org/dashboard webpage.•Para español llame al 764-9150 y presione el número dos. Si nadie contesta deje un corto mensaje con su nombre y numero de teléfono.
Media briefings will be released twice a week on Mondays and Fridays and potentially throughout the week if a significant spike has taken place between days. Our county is still at a high rate of transmission and currently has an 9.47% positivity rate. There have been approximately 74 new cases reported since yesterday. This means at this time we are testing more individuals, and that more people are coming back positive than previously. Currently, we are seeing the highest increase within 20-39 year olds with 20 new cases. These are a part of the 74 new cases.On September 23rd, The CDC's independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended certain populations to receive a booster shot of their Pfizer-BioNTECH COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after the completion of the second dose. Booster doses are recommended for the following:
individuals 65 years of age and older and residents in long-term care settings
individuals 50-64 years with certain underlying medical conditions;
and individuals 18-49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medicalconditions as well as those who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission becauseof their occupational or institutional setting.
To see what qualifies by CDC definition as "certain medical condition" visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html
The health department now has standing orders in place to include Pfizer booster doses. We administer COVID vaccinations every Friday from 9:00 am-4:45pm. If you are interested in a Pfizer booster dose and fall into one of the categories listed above, call our main office 828-764-9150 to schedule an appointment or visit myspot.nc.gov to select the location closest to you. In order to receive a Pfizer booster dose, you will need to bring your vaccination card with you. If you have lost or misplaced your card, we must be able to verify your vaccination status within the State's system.
On Wednesday, September 29th there will be a vaccination clinic open to the public at Western Piedmont Community College. The clinic will take place in Hildebrand Hall from 9:00 am-3:00pm. Appointments are not required, but you can schedule your appointment at takemyshot.nc.gov. We will be administering Pfizer, first, second, third and booster doses only.
On Friday, October 1st there will be a vaccination clinic open to the public at Catawba Brewery in Morganton from 4:00-7:00pm. Catawba Brewery is providing an incentive to all who receive their vaccination that evening. Appointments are not required. We will be administering Pfizer-first, second, third, and booster doses; Moderna-first and second doses; and J&J-first doses.
###
200 Avery Avenue- P.O. Box 219 - Morganton, NC 28680-0219
County Manager: (828)764-9350 Clerk to the Board: (828)764-9354 www.burkenc.org