Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Despite a slight decline in the number of active cases of COVID-19 across the Roanoke-Chowan area, the resurgent virus still has the region in its crosshairs.

Northampton County (334 active cases last week) and Bertie County (111) account for the majority of local individuals infected with the virus. Those numbers reflect a slight increase in Northampton (up from 330 cases two weeks ago) and a decrease of 45 cases in Bertie.

Hertford County’s number of active cases decreased from 146 to 96 last week.

Meanwhile, Gates County’s cases declined to 40, down from 79 the week prior.

However, Gates County did report the lone local COVID-19 related death last week. That individual was over the age of 65 and a resident at a facility where a current outbreak remains.

Gates County has lost 20 of its citizens to the virus since the pandemic began in March of 2020. That death was also the 230^th in the R-C area. To date, Hertford County’s death toll is 77 followed by Northampton (75), and Bertie (58).

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. Due to significant demand for COVID testing, please expect delays.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported on Jan. 19 of 17,474 newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19 across the state. That number is down from 25,445 cases reported on Jan. 12.

The daily percent positive stood at 35.9% on Jan. 19, up from 30.9% one week earlier.

The number of patients hospitalized statewide with COVID-19 issues also increased last week to 4,689 (up from 4,098 on Jan. 12).

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services 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.