New Hanover County issued the following announcement on Oct. 14.
As local COVID-19 metrics keep trending in a positive direction, New Hanover County Public Health officials continue to encourage residents to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the seasonal flu as well.
“When it comes to COVID-19, we are certainly seeing good signs in terms of fewer positive test results, fewer cases, increased vaccination numbers and fewer hospitalizations,” said Public Health Director David Howard. “As we continue to collect and review the data on COVID in our community, we are cautiously optimistic about seeing things improve and want this trend to continue. Our hard work is paying off. With this in mind, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and keep our collective guard up with our preventative measures related to COVID, and for the seasonal flu.”
Residents interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can find information on the vaccine itself as well as walk-in clinic hours and locations at Health.NHCgov.com.
Public Health will also offer drive-up flu vaccinations for two weeks at the Health and Human Services Building (1650 Greenfield Street) starting Monday, October 18.
“We’re excited to provide our residents a chance to receive a flu shot without having to leave their vehicle,” Howard said. “We certainly hope this opportunity proves to be convenient and helps our community take the steps needed to limit the spread of the seasonal flu.”
From October 18-29, drive-up flu shots will be offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flu vaccines are available to anyone six months and older and will be provided at no cost. Proof of residency or insurance is not required and an appointment is not necessary. Residents who have insurance are asked to bring their insurance card to file, but Public Health will not ask for any payment.
No other vaccines will be given at the drive-up clinic, but residents can always walk inside to the Health and Human Services clinic to receive a first or second dose of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
Booster shot clinic information
New Hanover County Public Health is now offering Pfizer (Comirnaty) COVID-19 booster shots, available by appointment only at the county’s Independence Mall vaccine clinic.
The booster shots will be offered on the following schedules:
- Independence Mall (3500 Oleander Drive)
- Monday and Friday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Individuals do not need to return to the same location where they received their initial vaccines for a booster shot. Find additional vaccine locations using the NCDHHS location finder.
Booster eligibility information can be found at Health.NHCgov.com/Coronavirus.
COVID-19 Community Data, as of October 14:
- Over the last week, 929 new COVID-19 cases and 4 deaths have been reported (for a total of 26,132 total cases of COVID-19 in New Hanover County and 281 resident deaths from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic). Currently, 1,128 people have presumed active cases. View the county’s data dashboard at NHCgov.cov/Coronavirus.
- The 14-day Percent Positivity Rate is 5 percent, continuing a downward trend from the 6.1 percent reported last week and 8 percent for the week prior. This metric represents positive COVID-19 tests as a percent of total tests performed countywide and is updated at COVID19.NCDHHS.gov/Dashboard.
- An average of 32 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized daily, according to NHRMC. Local hospitalization data is updated weekly by NHRMC and by NCDHHS statewide and regionally.
- Approximately 143,038 New Hanover County residents (about 61 percent) have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and approximately 135,346 residents (about 58 percent) are fully vaccinated and protected from COVID-19.
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