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The numbers are headed in the right direction as those receiving the COVID-19 vaccine locally continues to climb while local deaths from the virus remain at zero for the third consecutive week.

As of Friday (April 16), 19,092 residents of the Roanoke-Chowan area have received at least their first dose of the vaccine: 6,318 in Northampton; 5,251 in Bertie; 4,606 in Hertford; and 2,917 in Gates.

Of that four-county total, 17,130 R-C area residents are fully vaccinated (received both doses).

“Since January, when we began the vaccination campaign, Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) and our partnering agencies have been able to fully vaccinate over forty-one percent of adults, ages 18 and over, and fifty percent have had one dose,” said ARHS Health Director R. Battle Betts, Jr. “This is a major step forward for the region. To keep the momentum, we encourage individuals to schedule their vaccine appointments and continue to follow the 3 W’s.”

The number of active local cases continues to fluctuate. As of April 16 there were 72 active cases across the Roanoke-Chowan area: 25 in Northampton; 24 in Hertford; 14 in Gates; and nine in Bertie. There were 59 combined active cases in the four R-C area counties the week prior. That number was at 39 three weeks ago.

ARHS continues to offer first doses of the Moderna vaccine (by appointment) at its local health departments, to include offices in Ahoskie (252-862-4054), Gatesville (252-357-1380), and Windsor (252-794-5322). There is a drive-thru, second-dose clinic slated for 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21 at the Bertie High School parking lot. This clinic is for those who received their first vaccination on or before March 25.

You will need to bring the vaccine card you received with your first dose with you to the second-dose clinic. If you do not have your card, you may experience additional delays, or may be turned away and rescheduled because ARHS officials have to verify your first dose for your safety. If you received your first dose at any of the ARHS clinics, regardless of residence status, you will be able to receive your second dose as long as you have your vaccine card with you.

If you received your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine with another provider such as Walgreens or CVS, you will need to return to that same facility for your second dose.

Due to the decreasing demand and interest for COVID-19 vaccines in individuals in Priority Groups 1-4, the Northampton County Health Department has started vaccinating any individual, ages 18 and older regardless of Priority Group. To schedule an appointment, call the Northampton County Health Department at 252-534-5841.