Health experts say unvaccinated young adults to blame for spread of COVID

GREENVILLE, NC (WITN) – COVID-19 Spreads Again in North Carolina; the state topped 2,000 cases over the weekend. A map from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shows which counties are hardest hit.

Pitt and Onslow counties, marked in orange, have “substantial” spread of COVID, which means they have more cases, more positive tests and more impact on hospitals.

Health directors like Kristen Richmond-Hoover in Onslow County and Dr John Silvernail in Pitt County say unvaccinated young adults are partly to blame.

“In our population over 65, over 90% of these people are fully vaccinated or have been covered by the vaccine. It’s those younger populations that are always problematic for us, ”said Hoover.

“Young working adults … the 25-49 age group,” said Silvernail.

CDC data shows that about 45% of people over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated in Onslow and Pitt counties. Silvernail said in younger age groups that number is even lower.

Silvernail suggests that the cohort could be motivated by a practical vaccination by employers.

“We’ve had success with a couple of fast food restaurants here in Greenville where the managers have said, ‘Hey, can you vaccinate our staff?’ and we did it, ”said Silvernail.

Vaccination efforts continue in both counties and the two health experts are urging everyone to get vaccinated in order to fight the virus.

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