Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

COVID-19 continues as a health threat locally.

The virus claimed another life last week in the Roanoke-Chowan area as Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) reported the death of a Bertie County resident. That individual was between the ages of 24-to-49.

The death toll in the Roanoke-Chowan area now stands at 220 since the pandemic began in March of last year. Seventy-four of those deaths have occurred in Northampton County followed by Hertford County (73), Bertie County (54), and Gates County (19).

Meanwhile, active cases of the virus declined locally last week as follows:

Northampton County: 24 active cases (a decrease of 10 cases from the previous week)

Bertie County: 17 (-2)

Hertford County: 12 (unchanged)

The number of active cases in Gates County increased from 10 to 13 last week.

ARHS also reported that COVID-19 outbreaks at Accordious Care-Creekside in Ahoskie, Ahoskie Assisted Living, and Edenton House have all been resolved.

In its weekly report, ARHS noted the number of fully vaccinated individuals in the region include 5,546 in Bertie (an increase of 11 from last week’s report); 4,930 in Hertford (+1); and 3,940 in Gates (+9).

As of Friday, Nov. 19, ARHS has also administered 8,184 booster doses (third shots of the Pfizer vaccine; an increase of 693 from the previous week).

ARHS also continues to offer appointments for Pfizer vaccinations for ages 5 years and older, as well as Moderna and Johnson & Johnson for adults 18 and over. Appointments are available to residents of the eight county region. Appointments are for first, second, third and booster doses. If you have received any previous Covid-19 vaccines, please bring your vaccine card with you to your appointment. Parental consent is required for children 17 and younger.

Those needing to schedule a first, second, or third dose of the available vaccines can make an appointment at their local health department: Gates County Health Dept. (252-357-1380), the Bertie County Health Dept. (252-794-5322), or the Hertford County Health Dept. (252-862-4054).

Northampton County residents can call 252-534-5841 to schedule an appointment for either a COVID-19 vaccine or a booster shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone 18 years or older who received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine get a booster six months after their second dose to help strengthen and extend protections against COVID-19. The FDA has approved those booster shots.

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster was made available in late October and is recommended for individuals ages 18 and older who were vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

“I encourage all adults to get their COVID-19 booster for safer holiday gatherings with loved ones,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “With the recent authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11, now nearly everyone in the family can be vaccinated or boosted. Don’t wait to vaccinate.”

Additionally, fully vaccinated people who received their first COVID-19 vaccines outside of the U.S. or in clinical trials with a brand not currently authorized can now receive a Pfizer booster shot when they are eligible.

Those over 50 or at high risk should get a booster now.

Individuals can receive any brand of the COVID-19 vaccine for their booster shot. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. Limited preliminary evidence suggests that booster doses of one of the two mRNA vaccines — Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech — more effectively raise antibody levels than a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Everyone who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of age, should get a booster two months after their shot.

NCDHHS encourages individuals to speak with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist if they have questions about what booster is right for them.

Booster shots are available anywhere COVID-19 vaccines are available, and people do not need a doctor’s note to get a booster shot. Individuals who want to receive a booster will need to know the dates and brand of their past COVID-19 vaccine.

Paper vaccination cards are helpful but may not be necessary. Anyone who received their COVID-19 vaccine at a doctor’s office, independent (non-chain) pharmacy, health department or at a community event can access their vaccine information on the NCDHHS Access Portal. At-home vaccination and free transportation may be available.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines in North Carolina or to find a vaccine location, visit MySpot.nc.gov or call the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center for free at 888-675-4567.