FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2021COVID-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 15,342 cumulative cases. There are approximately 895 active cases. If youwant 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 mensajecon 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 8.29% positivity rate. There have been approximately 123 new cases reported since Friday . 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 0-19 year olds with 40 new cases, 20-39 year olds with 32 new cases, and 40-59 with 31 new cases. These are all a part of the 123 new cases since Friday.We are pleased to announce we were able to administer 72 vaccinations this past Friday at the Catawba Brewery vaccine clinic and 54 vaccinations at the Western Piedmont Community College vaccine clinic. Currently, in Burke County 47% of the population 12 and older is fully vaccinated. Per the CDC's recommendations, the health department is now offering Pfizer booster doses to the recommended populations who have received a 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 18-64 who haveounderlying health conditions that could increase their risk for severe COVID-19owork or live in a facility where they are at an increased risk for exposure to COVID-19 or come in contact with individuals whose vaccination status is unknown.first responders, education staff, food and agricultural workers, manufacturing workers, correction workers, U.S Postal Service workers, public transit workers, and grocery store workers
The health department administers COVID vaccines on Fridays from 9:00 am-4:45pm. If you are interested in a Moderna (first and second dose) vaccine, a Pfizer ( first, second, third, or booster dose)vaccine, or a J&J single-dose vaccine, call our main office 828-764-9150 to schedule an appointment or visit myspot.nc.gov to select thelocation 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.
### 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