Lee County Government on Monday confirmed 394 new COVID-19 cases since January 4 – the largest number of cases in a week to date – and also announced a 45th resident had died from the virus.
“Please join us in offering our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the individual who has passed away from COVID-19 as reported today,” said Lee County Health Director Heath Cain. “Lee County continues to see troubling trends in the number of new cases of COVID-19. We ask the public to continue following the guidance of health care professionals and follow the three W’s – Wear, Wait, and Wash – and if you are feeling sick, please stay home and away from others.”
The total number of county residents who have tested positive is now 4,112, and for the third consecutive week the county’s press release on the matter did not include the number of those cases considered active versus how many had recovered. While identifying information about patients is not disclosed, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services COVID dashboard does have some demographic data. According to the dashboard, Lee County is averaging 58 new cases per day with a test positivity rate of 18.1 percent, both significant jumps from last week.
The county’s also released information about administering vaccinations, nothing that the Health Department is currently registering individuals for the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1A and Phase 1B-Group 1 of the state’s vaccine rollout plan. This includes essential healthcare workers that have close contact with COVID-19 patients, healthcare workers administering the vaccine, long-term care facility staff and residents, and individuals aged 75 and older.
The Health Department has two dedicated phone lines for vaccine registration – (919) 721-4769 and (984) 368-2112. The lines are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Due to high call volume, individuals may need to call more than once to reach department staff that will initiate registration.
Individuals in Phase 1B – Groups 2 and 3, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 are not eligible to register at this time and will be asked to wait. The Health Department will release information when registration is expanded to the next groups. For a complete description of the rollout plan include a description of the rollout phases and eligibility, please visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines.