The percentage of positive COVID-19 cases in Halifax County has gone up to 6.8 percent, the health department reported today.

In its daily update the health department also added one related death which brings the total to 104.

“It’s a small increase — up 2 percent — and we have seen a dramatic decline in testing due to the less people being symptomatic, a decline in numbers giving a sense of security where people don’t feel eager to get tested and lastly because of lack of availability of rapid test kits as the state will no longer provide them,” health department Director Bruce Robistow said this evening.

The health department plans on working with Vidant Health to set up testing sites throughout the county. “We want to do more testing to get a better idea how much COVID is in the area,” Robistow said.

The increase shows the pandemic is not over, Robistow said. “This is not over by any means. The majority of northern states are seeing a rapid incline in cases to the point the CDC is almost to the point of calling this the fourth wave.”

Vaccinations and social distancing, wearing a facial covering, and frequent handwashing remains critical. “We will not have the potential to reach herd immunity until 70 percent of the population is vaccinated,” the health director said. “Sadly, demand for the vaccine in Halifax County as in much of North Carolina has declined considerably. Please reconsider and get vaccinated as soon as possible. Don’t focus on the type of the vaccine but place focus on getting vaccinated as soon as possible.”

• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
• Click to open image! Click to open image!
•  

Daily report

The health department today added 20 new positive cases which brings the cumulative total since last March to 5,202.

Total number of positives by ZIP code beginning March 25, 2020 through today 

Enfield (27823) – 723 cases

Halifax (27839) – 250 cases 

Hobgood (27843) – 116 cases 

Hollister (27844) – 258 cases

Littleton (27850) – 435 cases 

Roanoke Rapids (27870) – 2,802 cases 

Scotland Neck (27874) – 359 cases

Weldon (27890) – 242 cases

Cases by Date of Earliest Illness Identification and Race/Ethnicity 

The numbers for the past week increased.

Percent Positive of COVID 19 Cases

This statistic is only calculated using results from labs that report to the state. The percent positive has increased over the past week, with a two-week average of 6.8 percent.

Cases by Date of Earliest Illness Identification and Age  

Ages 25-49 represent the largest age groups who have tested positive this past week.

Cases by Date of Earliest Illness Identification and Congregate Living Setting Association

These numbers have remained the same for the past week.

Halifax County Vaccination Status

14,264 people at least partially vaccinated — 28.5 percent of population

8,134 people fully vaccinated — 16.3 percent of population 

Northampton County

The health department reported Tuesday there were 1,748 total positive cases of which 1,673 have recovered. There were seven active cases. There have been 68 related deaths.

Vidant Health

Vidant Health is expanding access to COVID-19 vaccine appointments to everyone 16 and older effective Thursday. 

Community members who are 18 and older can schedule an appointment by visiting this link or by calling 252-847-8000.

 Appointments for community members who are 16 or 17 years old can be scheduled by calling 252-847-8000.