One year since WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic

WADESBORO — A year ago on March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Since then, the United States lost over 520,000 people to the deadly virus and now, three vaccines have emerged in record time to fight COVID-19.

It was on March 31 when the Anson County Health Department reported the first COVID-19 case at Atrium Health Anson. Almost a year later, 9.5% of the county has turned over a positive COVID-19 test.

Throughout the last twelve months, the health department has worked endlessly to test, educate and give out vaccines to Anson residents.

As of March 8, 54 residents lost the fight against the coronavirus in Anson County. There are 54 active COVID-19 cases.

Over the weekend, there were only about 10 new cases, according to Evonne Burr, administrator officer. This is low for a weekend. Before the decrease in cases, there would be about 10 new cases each day.

The significant decrease of COVID-19 cases follows a similar national trend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there was a 5.7% decrease on March 3 in the seven day average number of daily cases reported compared to a week before. This comes after a slight increase between the end of February and beginning of March.

The trending decrease has led Governor Roy Cooper to ease up on statewide restrictions with Executive Order 195, lifting a modified stay-at-home order. This executive order will be in place to at least 5 p.m. on March 26.

The mandatory mask mandate is still active under the executive order, but now businesses will be able to open with a higher occupancy. Bars, movie theatres, meeting spaces, lounges, venues and sporting arenas can open at a 30% capacity with a 250 person limit.

Restaurants, breweries, retailers, gyms and museums can open at 50% capacity. High school stadiums can open at 30%, bringing back a sense of normalcy for Friday night lights.

Larger sporting arenas that can hold over 5,000 people can now have up to 15% of their fans, which is welcome news to fans of the Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte Knights.

The end now looks closer as North Carolina moves to vaccinate the next group. Appointment registration for everyone in the front-line worker category opened on March 5 in Anson. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) describes a front line worker as someone who is employed in education, health care, transportation, food and agriculture, governmental and community, commercial facilities for essential goods and public health and safety.

“Over the last two months, we have made significant progress administering the COVID vaccine to Group 1, healthcare workers, Group 2, the 65 and over, and K-12 staff and child care workers in Group 3,” Fred Thompson, health director at the Anson County Health Department, said. “We are please to be able to expand Group 3 to include all of our local essential front-line workers.”

Those who fall into Group 3 and wish to be vaccinated can fill out a registration form with the health department and email it to covidregistration@co.anson.nc.us, drop it off at the health department or call at 704-694-5188. Employees at the health department will then register the individual on the state’s online portal and contact them to schedule an appointment.

Vaccinations take place at the EMS base off of County Club Road. Patients pull up into one of two lanes, first dose and second dose. A paramedic or nurse will come to your window asking for your name and you will fill out a form. Quickly after you will be given your shot and you wait 15 minutes in the lot before you are released.

Right now, the health department is only administering the Moderna vaccine. Atrium Health Anson has been assisting the health department by transferring left over vaccines from the hospital, allowing more people to be vaccinated than the original 200-300 dose allotment the health department receives from the state.

“At this time, we have not been notified if, or when, we will allocate any of the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine,” Thompson said.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the latest to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It is a single-dose vaccine that is about 66% effective against moderate to severe COVID-19 infections.

According to the NCDHSS website, 2,253 Anson residents have already received their second dose. Over 982,000 people across the state have received both doses.

Even if you are fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends taking precautions in public places as the center is still learning how vaccines will affect the spread. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot.

If you are fully vaccinated, the CDC announced you can gather indoors with others who are fully vaccinated without wearing a mask. You can gather with other households without masks, even if some are unvaccinated, unless they live with someone who is at an increased risk for COVID-19.

The CDC is still learning about the virus, variants and vaccines. Even with the positive outlook of decreasing cases, you are still urged to limit large gatherings and travel. The end is getting close, but still follow your three W’s.

Thompson urges those who are already qualified to receive a vaccine to schedule an appointment. Group 4, adults with high risk of exposure and increase risk of severe illness, will open on March 24, if not sooner.