CCPHD introduces new COVID-19 information tool as virus trends continue to rise

Testing still available across the county

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PITTSBORO — Last week, more than 4,000 North Carolinians were hospitalized with COVID-19 for the first time in the nearly two years of the pandemic. Additionally, more than 44,000 positive tests were reported on last Thursday, a new record for the state.

These rising numbers, driven by the very contagious spread of the Omicron variant, heighten the importance of all Chatham County residents doing what they can to limit the spread and protect themselves and others: get vaccinated and boosted, wear a mask in crowded indoor public spaces, practice social distancing, and get tested if you do not feel well or are exposed to COVID-19.

If residents have recently been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, there are many testing sites across Chatham County where they can be tested. A full Chatham-specific list can be found at www.chathamcountync.gov/coronavirustesting.

“More than one in five COVID-19 tests in Chatham County is coming back positive,” said Chatham County Public Health Director Mike Zelek. “Testing options are available in Chatham, but with the rise in cases results may take longer than usual to get back. Consider asking for a rapid test to get more timely results.”

This week, the Chatham County Public Health Department published a new resource: the COVID-19 Facts FAQ. This online tool covers questions that CCPHD staff have heard many times throughout the pandemic, like:

• Why should I wear a mask if I have been vaccinated?

• Why does guidance from the CDC and other public health organizations change so much?

• How many deaths have been caused by the vaccine?

• Can’t we trust our natural immunity to protect us, especially if we’ve already had COVID-19?

“We’ve received a lot of questions over the last two years, and we do our best to address these as honestly as possible while acknowledging the concerns many have,” added Zelek. “With this tool, we hope to respond to these questions with a straightforward answer while also providing background and further resources for those interested.”

Chatham residents are encouraged to check out the resource at www.chathamcountync.gov/covidfacts. If there are any questions that the FAQ doesn’t answer, residents can send them to zachary.horner@chathamcountync.gov and the CCPHD will respond.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and find other resources, visit www.chathamcountync.gov/coronavirusvaccine. To find a COVID-19 vaccine location, visit www.vaccines.gov. To learn more about the Chatham County Public Health Department, visit our website or Facebook.