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The Delta variant of COVID-19 remains widespread across the state and nation.

Locally, the number of positive cases fell last week in two counties, but increased in two others.

As of Friday, Sept. 10, the number of positive cases in the Roanoke-Chowan area were as follows:

Gates County: 28 (+17 from the previous week)

Northampton County: 91 (+3)

Hertford County: 87 (a decrease of six cases from the previous week)

Bertie County: 84 (a decrease of 16 cases).

Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) said in its weekly summary on Friday, Sept. 10 that there were four COVID-related deaths in the region last week (one each in Camden, Chowan, Currituck, and Pasquotank counties). Two were over the age of 65 while the other two were both in the 50-to-64 age range. None of those deaths were at long-term care facilities.

The regional death toll was down from nine the week of Aug. 29 through Sept. 3.

ARHS is continuing to accept vaccine appointments (ages 12-and-up) for first and second dose Moderna and Pfizer, along with Johnson and Johnson, at each of its local health departments. Those in the R-C area can call the Gates County Health Dept. (252-357-1380), the Bertie County Health Dept. (252-794-5322), or the Hertford County Health Dept. (252-862-4054). Those offices can also be contacted for COVID testing.

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

“COVID-19 remains a highly contagious virus and we need everyone, including children 12 and up, to increase their layers of protection by getting their vaccine,” said R. Battle Betts, Jr., ARHS Health Director. “As we continue to see more cases of the virus among our youth, it’s more important than ever make sure your children 12 and older get vaccinated. This step not only helps that individual and their family members, but it is also a step to help protect those who are not yet eligible for the vaccine.

“Millions of individuals, including teens, have already been vaccinated and clinical trials have proven the vaccine is safe and effective even against the more contagious Delta variant. Now is the time, please do not wait to vaccinate,” Betts added.

Local and regional health officials say it is important to follow guidance from NC DHHS including:

If you are not fully vaccinated, you should:

• Get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalization and death, including from the Delta variant, and reduces community spread of the virus.
• Practice the 3 W’s. Wear a face covering in all indoor and, crowded outdoor public settings. Wait 6 feet apart in all public settings. Wash your hands often.
• Not gather with unvaccinated individuals who do not live with you. If you do gather, wear a mask, stay outside and keep 6 feet of distance.
• Not travel. If you do travel, get tested 1-3 days before and 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self – quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
• Get tested if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 and quarantine and get tested if you’ve been exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms.

If you are fully vaccinated, you should:

• Wear a mask in all indoor public spaces if you live in area of high or substantial levels of transmission as defined by the CDC until more people are vaccinated and viral transmission decreases. Consider wearing a face covering in crowded outdoor settings where you cannot maintain 6ft physical distancing.
• Get tested if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. After an exposure to a person with COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after exposure and wear a mask around others for 14 days after exposure or until you get a negative test result.