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With Spring’s arrival just around the corner, the timing couldn’t be better for a downward trend to continue for COVID-19 cases across the Roanoke-Chowan area.

According to information provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), the number of new cases fell last week in three local counties and remained unchanged in another.

There were no deaths linked to the virus last week in the R-C area. That marks the second straight week for that good news.

Northampton County saw the largest decline in the number of newly reported cases, falling from 15 to 10 last week.

Hertford County’s numbers decreased by three last week, falling from 18 to 15 new cases.

Gates County has the lowest number of new cases (five), down by one from the previous week.

Newly reported cases in Bertie County (10) is unchanged from the previous week.

Statewide, NCDHHS reported 2,243 new cases of the virus and 1,461 individuals hospitalized due to COVID complications as of March 2. Those numbers are down from the previous week (3,470 newly reported cases and 2,123 hospitalized).

In comparison, there were 20,286 new cases and 5,090 hospitalized reported by NCDHHS on Jan. 26.

COVID-19 vaccinations and testing remain available in the local area. For more information contact the Gates County Health Dept. (252-357-1380), the Bertie County Health Dept. (252-794-5322), the Hertford County Health Dept. (252-862-4054) or the Northampton County Health Department (252-534-5841).

Vidant Health has 14 locations across eastern North Carolina to help you get tested for COVID-19. If you need a test, please visit VidantHealth.com/safecommunities to find a Vidant testing location near you.

NCDHHS reminds everyone that the COVID-19 vaccine is available for free to all who want it. Vaccination is now open to everyone 5 and older. Visit MySpot.nc.gov to find a location.

To strengthen and extend protections against COVID-19, boosters are now available to all North Carolinians ages 12 and older. You should get a booster as soon as you are eligible.

If you received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you can get your booster five months after your second shot. If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you can get your booster two months after your shot.

You can choose any brand of COVID-19 vaccine for your booster shot. Limited preliminary evidence suggests that booster doses of one of the two mRNA vaccines — Moderna or Pfizer — more effectively raise antibody levels than a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The CDC also recommends a third dose of Pfizer for children ages 5 to 11 who have compromised immune systems.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines, visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov or call the COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center for free at 1-888-675-4567.