Buncombe's COVID-19 cases decrease, hospitalizations not letting up yet, deaths increase
The final full week of January in Buncombe is seeing faint signals of a break from COVID-19 as local infections went down while other numbers, including hospitalizations, rose.
According to metrics published Jan 25 by Buncombe County Health and Human Services, there were 907 new cases per 100,000 in Buncombe since Jan. 18.
From Jan. 11-18, there were 1,152 new cases per 100,000.
The decrease hints at a possible decline in cases, but it's too early to be sure, officials say.
“This week’s case data will help us determine if the decrease we are seeing is truly due to decreasing exposure and transmission or if this decrease is a result of limited movement of people, including those seeking testing, during the recent winter storm,” Public Health Director Stacie Saunders said.
While some numbers are down, others have gone up.
Omicron like a 'wildfire': Buncombe mask mandate extended, 'really hard' weeks coming
The local percent positivity increased during the past week from 22.9% to more than 25% and the local death rate increased from 1.9 deaths per 100,000 to 4.2, representing 11 new deaths reported in the past seven days. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 476 people in Buncombe County have died of the disease.
“Though our case rate is showing a decline right now, our other indicators continue to increase,” Saunders said. “Transmission remains high, and that means the risk of exposure and spread remains high. Remember to wear your face covering, keep distance, and wash your hands to help reduce the spread.”
Buncombe hospitals also are seeing upticks in COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Almost 15% of inpatient beds are occupied with COVID-19-positive patients and ICU hospitalizations went up from 31% to more than 33%.
Pandemic coverage: WNC COVID-19 hospitalizations double in 3 weeks; most in patients who were unvaccinated
Mission Health spokesperson Nancy Lindell reported Jan. 25 that as of 9 a.m. there were 190 COVID-19-positive inpatients in Mission Health system, including 154 at Mission Hospital, nine at Angel Medical Center, 12 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, 10 at Mission Hospital McDowell and ive at Transylvania Regional Hospital.
There were no COVID-19 patients at at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.
Pardee UNC Health spokesperson Erica Allison reported that, As of 8 a.m. Jan. 25, the hospital was caring for 31 patients hospitalized for COVID-19, including seven in the ICU.
AdventHealth Hendersonville spokesperson Victoria Dunkle said the hospital at 8 a.m. Jan. 25 had 25 COVID-19-positive patients including six in the ICU.
Surges in hospital cases led the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and North Carolina Emergency Management to announce Jan. 21 that they would request federal support for the Charlotte region to help alleviate capacity constraints.
This severe increase in cases statewide is attributed to the omicron variant, which NCDHHS respiratory surveillance data from the week ending in Jan. 8 -- also the most recent data -- shows the new, fast-spreading version of COVID-19 now represented 89% of sequenced viruses.
Officials continue to urge people to wear protective face coverings and get vaccinated and boosted.
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According to BCHHS's report Jan. 25, 72% of the eligible population is now partially vaccinated and 68% of that eligible population is fully vaccinated with two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson.
Additionally, 92,290 people have received a third/booster dose, which is roughly 54.5% of the fully vaccinated eligible population, according to BCHHS data.
The county continues efforts to cooperate on local vaccination clinics and announced two upcoming in cooperation with Buncombe County Schools:
North Windy Ridge Intermediate School on Jan. 29, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
TC Roberson High School: Feb. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Coronavirus testing: COVID-19 cases skyrocket in Asheville, Buncombe: Where and how can you get tested?
The county also has handed out thousands of tests and masks to residents through community partners and at public service locations.
A majority of tests quickly ran out after the county started its distribution efforts on Jan. 20.
But they plan to reopen the distribution process Jan. 26. "A list of participating locations will be posted by end of day on Tuesday, Jan 25," BCHHS's website said Jan. 25. "These locations will begin mask and test kit distribution on Wednesday at 10 a.m."
Residents can also get tested at UNC Asheville's Ridge Room in the Highsmith Student Union, 2500 University Heights.
Testing will be available there from 1-8 p.m. Jan. 28, and then 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 29 and 30.
Weekend testing at this site will be available for the next five weeks and is open to the public.
More information about testing local sites can be found on the NCDHHS website.
Information about vaccine locations can be found at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines.
Read more: Omicron rises, but so do vaccinations.
Andrew Jones is Buncombe County government and health care reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow or reach him at @arjonesreports on Facebook and Twitter. Email him at arjones@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe County COVID cases decrease as hospitalizations, deaths rise
