03/28/2024
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Bladen County Health and Human Services released the latest COVID-19 update. Bladen County currently has 680 total positive cases with 37 active, positive cases, according to the recent report. Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan, Bladen County Health and Human Services Director, announced the chance of offering a COVID-19 vaccination soon and the importance of immunizations.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month!

Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan said, “August is a key time to make sure you are up to date on all the vaccines you need to stay healthy. Use CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool https://www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched/ to see which vaccines might be right for you.”

She added, there have been some discussions that Bladen County may receive a limited number of COVID-19 vaccines distributed in November for Bladen County’s high-risk population. A larger number of the vaccine may be provided in the spring of 2021. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine will be published as soon as it becomes available. 

 Dr. Duncan is cautiously optimistic, with Bladen County holding steady between six and seven percent of COVID-19 testing turning up positive. She said, “We are certainly on the right track. We need to continue to practice the 3 W’s. Now is not the time to slow down the efforts; we should continue the efforts.”

According to the report today, North Carolina is at 7.4 percent of COVID-19 positive tests.

Dr. Duncan stated, “We will be offering longer hours in September and October and we want to encourage everyone to get their flu shot this year.”

Tiffany Pait, RN, with the Bladen County Health Department announced the health department would remain open until 6:30 p.m. in September and October to provide immunizations, family planning services, and lab work.

Dr. Duncan said, “October is good time receive the flu vaccine.”

The health department will host two drive-thru flu vaccine clinics in October. 

According to Pait, the first flu shot drive will be held on October 16 in the morning hours, and the second flu shot drive will be conducted at 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on October 20.

More information about the flu vaccines will be published as soon as it is made available. 

The NC Department of Health and Human Services is asking people to remember these three things as we stay strong and continue to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19.

If you leave home, practice your Ws: Wear, Wait, Wash

  • Wear a cloth covering over your nose and mouth.
  • Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive general information and updates about COVID-19 and North Carolina’s response.

Dial 2-1-1 provides free, confidential information and is available 24 hours a day to help you find resources within your community. They can connect you with people and groups that can help with questions about access to food, shelter, health care, employment and child care.

Families who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to find free meal sites in their communities.

Make sure to prioritize your overall wellness and don’t hesitate to seek additional help.

Optum has a toll-free 24-hour Emotional Support Help Line at 866-342-6892 for people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress due to Coronavirus.

You can track the disease in real time through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 NC Dashboard. It includes detailed information about the state’s COVID-19 confirmed cases, hospital capacity and more.

View the COVID-19 Update for Bladen County and North Carolina above.

For COVID-19 testing, contact one of the agencies below.

CommWell Health (1-910-567-7114 or 1-877-WELL-ALL (935-5255) continues to test in Tar Heel, Monday-Friday, times vary.

Robeson Health Care Corporation is testing at the St. Pauls site (910-241-30420), times vary.

Cape Fear Valley-Bladen Clinics and Express Care offer testing (Bladenboro, Clarkton, Dublin, Elizabethtown and White Lake) for anyone exhibiting symptoms or those in high risk groups without symptoms, after a visit with the provider on duty. Contact the clinic located in your area for further information:

Bladenboro 910-863-3138

Clarkton 910-862-1217

Dublin 910-862-3528

Elizabethtown 910-862-5500

White Lake 910-862-1265

Express Care 910-862-2122

Bladen cases have been linked to social gatherings, work, travel and community-acquired (unknown source). Bladen County residents are vulnerable of getting or spreading the virus. In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, the CDC added symptoms for the coronavirus: chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and a new loss of taste. There is no vaccine for the virus.

 

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