03/29/2024
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by Charlotte Smith

Bladen County Health & Human Services Agency Director, Dr. Teresa (Terri) Duncan, released the daily COVID-19 update for today. Over the last several days, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and his staff have reported Bladen County as the State’s COVID-19 hotspot.

Dr. Duncan appeared before the Bladen County Board of Commissioners on Monday evening to report on the COVID-19 cases increasing in the county. 

She started by saying, “It has been a challenging time. We got worse, and the other counties got better.”

Bladenboro is the hotspot in Bladen County, with an increase in COVID-19 cases. According to Dr. Duncan’s report on Monday, there were 86 active cases in Bladenboro, with one recent death. 

Monday’s COVID-19 Update: 

The contact tracers cannot pinpoint an outbreak or what is causing the increase, Dr. Duncan explained. 

Dr. Duncan noted that the Bladen County Health Department had offered vaccines at several events, such as the Juneteenth event and the White Lake Water Festival, and other locations in the county. In addition, one vaccine clinic is planned for this week at the Bladenboro Fire Department.

Commissioner Cogdell made a motion for the Board to make an official declaration about the rise in Covid cases and make a statement that if citizens do not get vaccinated, they should consider wearing masks and social distance. 

Some of the Board of Commissioners expressed concerns about endorsing people to get vaccinated due to the FDA warnings about the risks associated with vaccines. 

The FDA fact sheets about the COVID-19 vaccines were revised for each vaccine. The FDA warns about myocarditis and pericarditis. The warnings issued regarding the COVID-19 vaccines by the FDA states there may be increased risks “particularly following the second dose and with the onset of symptoms within a few days after vaccination.”

Janet Woodcock, the acting FDA Commissioner said in a statement earlier this month, “The risk of myocarditis and pericarditis appears to be very low given the number of vaccine doses that have been administered. The benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination continue to outweigh the risks, given the risk of COVID-19 diseases and related, potentially severe, complications.”

Read the full report of the County Commissioners meeting here: 

https://bladencounty.org/bladen-county-commissioners-approve-resolution-to-disengage-from-eastpointe-lme-mco-and-to-re-align-with-trillium-health/

 

 

Dr. Duncan said she is concerned with the hospitalizations. In today’s update, there are three additional COVID-19 related hospitalizations and two COVID-19 related deaths over the update presented to the Commission on Monday evening. 

Today’s COVID-19 Update:

The Centers for Disease Control suggests the following to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

  • Wear a mask that fits well with no gaps
  • Stay at least 6 feet from others.
  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
  • Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces daily. If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
  • Get a vaccine when it’s available to you.
  • If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.

The Bladen County Health Department is offering vaccines for all groups Monday through Friday. Other Vaccine Clinics are available in the area as well. 

 

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