After three long years, the COVID pandemic emergency status was set to end Thursday, May 11. But the end of the COVID public health emergency doesn't mean the end of COVID. Mountain health leaders said vigilance and precautions are still needed.
By September 2021, Graham County led all 100 North Carolina counties in COVID case rates, along with one of the lowest vaccination rates.
Interim Health Director Donna Stephens said Graham was hit hard.
“We were hit by and we lost a lot of young people to COVID as well as elderly,” she said.
Stephens said the run of the pandemic took 29 lives in Graham County.
She said reaching the end of the emergency status is a milestone for public health and vaccines playing a major role. But people need to stay prepared.
“Use your resources and things in your community to stay safe, such as vaccines," Stephens said. "And, if you are sick, please get tested because early treatment will help you get better and help it from spreading to others."
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Resources issued the following statement:
While the public health emergency has ended, COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment will remain free in North Carolina, regardless of insurance or immigration status, while supplies last. When supplies of federally purchased vaccines run out, they will be available like flu shots and other routine vaccinations, covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance or out-of-pocket costs for the uninsured."
Stephens said, since COVID is here to stay, there's still a place for precautions like wearing a mask.
“If you've not been vaccinated, I would suggest you still wear a mask because it is still going to be here. If you have an immune system that is weak, you should wear a mask,” she said.
Stephens strongly urged folks to follow guidance from the CDC and the state, information she puts on the Graham County Health Department webpage and social media.
" I think most counties will continue to do that so that we can keep people informed of what is available because that's very important.
State health officials said they'll strengthen efforts to provide everyone with timely resources on staying safe.