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Weekly Covid-19 Status Report - February 17, 2022

Posted on: February 18, 2022 - 4:31pm

Click here for Chatham's Health weekly COVID-19 Status Report Visual Charts. (Reporting period covers 1/30-2/12).

Overall, the District had 216 cases during this reporting period – a decrease of 164 cases (or 43%) compared to the last reporting period.​ Reported cases continue to vastly underestimate the true burden of COVID-19 in our communities, largely due to changes in how residents seek testing.

Hospitalizations have continued to decline significantly, with 325 patients currently hospitalized. Weekly statewide fatalities remain high, but declined slightly for a fourth consecutive reporting period, with 105 fatalities in the last week. DPH data show that approximately 75.5% of Chatham Health District residents are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and 45% have received an additional dose. Though the Omicron variant has shown an ability to infect people who are fully vaccinated, vaccination continues to provide significant protection from severe disease.

Compared to being vaccinated, being unvaccinated currently has the following relative risk:
• 32 Times higher risk of dying from COVID-19
• 10 Times higher risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19
 
In order to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
  • Avoid large indoor social gatherings if you are unvaccinated or at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease.
  • Get vaccinated if you have not already done so.
  • Get a booster shot if you are eligible.
  • Get tested for COVID-19 especially if you are sick, or as close as possible before gathering in large groups even if you feel well.
    • At-home tests are a convenient way to accomplish this.
    • At-home tests can be ordered online (now at no cost using www.covidtest.gov) and at many local pharmacies, and are eligible for reimbursement from health insurers.
  • STAY HOME if you are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days, and DO NOT leave home until at least 5 days have passed since your symptoms began or since you tested positive, you are feeling much better, and no longer have a fever.*
  • Wear a mask in crowded indoor public settings**
New treatments have become available for COVID-19 recently, including more convenient and highly effective medications that can be taken at home. Though many newer medications continue to be in very short supply, if you become sick with COVID-19, contact your doctor to discuss treatment options. If you are at high risk for severe disease, even if you are vaccinated, do not delay seeking treatment. Being vaccinated, combined with early treatment is an important predictor of better outcomes, especially for high-risk individuals.

Chatham Health District is coordinating testing and vaccine clinics. To see upcoming scheduled vaccine and testing clinics in the district, visit our website: https://www.chathamhealth.org/services-2, or          call 2-1-1. Residents who are sick but are unable to get tested should assume they have COVID-19 and isolate for at least 5 days*.

* CDC issued updated quarantine and isolation guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

** Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of face without gaps. Loose-fitting, cloth face coverings provide less protection than surgical masks, KN95, or N95 masks. Many municipalities are distributing high quality KN95 or N95 masks to the public. Residents should check their town’s website for details.

Russell S. Melmed, MPH
Director of Health
Chatham Health District