COVID-19 Briefing for Friday, February 5, 2021 Three Additional COVID-19 Deaths in Macon County

The Macon County Health Department has announced there have been three more deaths due to COVID-19 in the county. Macon Media notes the health department has left off the standard boiler plate about age that has been published on every press release announcing deaths over the past year, so this likely means at least one of the victims was under 65 years of age. The press release is posted below and the new daily numbers of testing cases and vaccine delivery have been posted below that.

PRESS RELEASE
MACON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

Macon County Reports Additional Deaths Related to COVID-19

Macon County Public Health received notification today that three Macon County residents diagnosed with COVID-19 have passed away. To protect the family ́s privacy, no further information will be released about these individuals. This death brings Macon County to twenty-two (22) deaths related to COVID-19.

Health Director, Kathy McGaha said, “We extend our deepest sympathies to these individual’s families and their loved ones. Every death from COVID-19 is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.” Ms. McGaha also stated, “Macon County has begun to vaccinate the community against COVID-19 to prevent future infections and death. However, while we still have a limited supply which has outpaced demand, it is important that our community continue to wash our hands, wait 6 feet apart, and wear a mask.”

The entire state of North Carolina is under a “Safer at Home” executive order, currently under phase three with masks required to be worn when social distancing cannot be maintained. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19; however, anyone of any age can become infected with this illness. Therefore, we ask that community members strictly follow the governor’s orders and continue to practice social distancing, as well as safe hygiene measures such as hand washing and frequently cleaning touched objects and surfaces. The public can monitor the different phases of re-opening and learn more about the restrictions at https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/guidance.

Symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough, other lower respiratory illness (shortness of breath). If you believe that you may have COVID-19, please call the Health Department at 828-349-2517. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm, until further notice.

--END PRESS RELEASE--

Macon County COVID-19 Numbers

Here are the latest COVID-19 Numbers and Demographics Report from Macon Public Health, along with a couple of charts by Macon Media to show you the long-term trends since April 17th. The health department has started releasing information about vaccine delivery, so those numbers will be included here also, as well as charted.

NEW POSITIVE COVID-19 PUBLIC SCHOOL CASES (Feb 5th)

Franklin High School-5
Mountain View Intermediate-1


VACCINE DELIVERY
(The health department received its first shipment on December 30th) 

Due to the diversion of vaccines by the state and then a hiccup in the federal delivery of vaccines to the states, the number of vaccines available to the health department has been severely limited below their capacity to deliver. Residents wishing to get on the waiting list to get a vaccine can call the Vaccine Hotline for Macon County at 828-524-1500 and the volunteers will walk you through the online vaccine registration system.

 
Vaccines Given Today 143, Thursday 166, Wednesday 132, Tuesday 0, Monday 0
Current Inventory Today 0, Thursday 110, Wednesday 270, Tuesday 400, Monday 0
Total Vaccines Given Today 2956, Thursday 2813, Wednesday 2647 Tuesday 2515, Monday 2515 

 
(note--these numbers are on the day reported, not necessarily given since some shots may be given after the daily report is published)

Cases

2783 Detected
(+15 from Thursday and +115 from last Friday and +756 from four weeks ago)

493 Active
(-9 from Thursday and -29 last Friday and -143 from four weeks ago)

2268 Recovered
(+21 from Thursday and +140 last Friday and +871 from four weeks ago)

22 Deaths
(+3 from Thursday and +4 from last Friday and +10 from four weeks ago)

Testing

8919 by MCPH
+48from Thursday and +178 from last Friday and +903 from four weeks ago)

7317 by Others
(+42 from Thursday and +319 from last Friday and +1534 from four weeks ago)

16236 total
(+90 from Thursday and +497 from last Friday and +2437 from four weeks ago)

129 tests pending results
(+42 from Thursday and -92 from last Friday and -9 from four weeks ago)

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Published at 6:07pm on Friday, February 5, 2021
Edited at 7:00pm to add the numbers report