New Hanover County sees increase in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The number of COVID-19 cases is increasing at an alarming rate in North Carolina. The state is reporting its highest number of daily cases since mid-February.

The nationwide wave of the virus has arrived in New Hanover County. The county is now experiencing a high rate of transmission of the virus, according to the latest county map released by the CDC. The number of cases reported over the past week is alarming to health officials, including New Hanover County Deputy Director of Health Carla Turner.

“Two weeks ago we had about 140 positives,” Turner said. “Last week, 386 positive results were reported to us at the health service, which more than doubled, almost tripled, our numbers. “

The number of hospitalizations is also on the rise at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center, according to clinical director Dr. West Paul.

“Three weeks ago we only had one patient with COVID,” Paul said. “We got as high as the mid-50s, we’re now in the mid-40s to 40s, so it’s a pretty dramatic increase.”

With the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 across the country, attention is once again focused on vaccinating more people. Authorities say fewer people vaccinated could lead to more mutations in the virus.

“If we can’t keep getting vaccinated quickly, we’re going to see the potential for developing more variants,” Turner said.

Another side effect of faster spread and reduced immunizations is an increase in hospitalizations.

“You look at the rates where they’re currently at and we’re looking at doubling the numbers every week or two,” Paul said. “This means we will quickly fill our hospital with COVID patients. This is not where we want to go.

Paul says new cases in vaccinated patients are much less severe than in those who are not vaccinated.

Dr Khadijia Tribie Reid, a pediatrician at Med North Health Center, was initially hesitant to get the shot, but got the shot once she realized the immediate impact it can have. She now encourages her patients to do the same.

“I had the option of participating in the program or not participating in the program and again I thought, ‘I know what OCIVD can do, I don’t know the long term effects of the vaccine. “But I know what COVID can do right now,” and we see it all around us. So I got the vaccine, ”said Reid.

Immunization rates could again move in the right direction. Turner says the county administered more than 120 injections at a clinic Tuesday; the average had been about 40 shots.

“What is encouraging is – from the reports I get from our staff working there – [is] a lot of them are first doses and that’s very encouraging, ”Turner said.

New Hanover County will require everyone, regardless of their immunization status, to wear masks in all buildings in the county starting Friday.

The county will hold a vaccination clinic at 6:00 p.m. Friday at Waterline Brewing. For a list of places where you can get vaccinated in New Hanover County, visit the health department’s website.

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