Weekly Report (10/9-10/15/2021) for Positive COVID-19 Cases for Robeson County Residents

Male 82

Female 73

African American 23

American Indian 50

White 37

Hispanic 6

Other 18

Unlisted 21

Number of positive cases this period - 155

Number of cases since March 21, 2020 - 26,666 (case record was updated with duplicates removed and missing cases added)

Number of deaths associated with COVID this period - 4

Number of deaths since March 21, 2020 - 423 (per NCDHHS Dashboard)

The positivity rate for the last 14 days is 5.6%. The county remains at 42% vaccinated with at least one dose.

While deaths and hospitalizations declined this week, the stark difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated must be noted (from a national study). For example:

Unvaccinated people 50 and less years old are 15 times more likely to be hospitalized than the vaccinated;

Unvaccinated people 50 to 64 are 31 times more likely to be hospitalized than the vaccinated; and,

Unvaccinated people 65 and over are 16 times more likely to be hospitalized than the vaccinated.

The death of General Colin Powell refreshed our memory of the power of being vaccinated. While General Powell was fully vaccinated, he had a cancer that attacked the plasma and caused him to be immune compromised - thus the perfect target for Covid-19. However, the average is one death per 26,000 vaccinated cases. This is a microscopic 4 thousandths of one per cent. In order to be fully protected for the holiday season, initiating the vaccination process in the next four weeks must occur. The Health Department will continue to offer extended hours weeknights and Saturday clinics through November 6 for Covid vaccinations.