While Halifax County has climbed into the orange category of positive COVID-19 cases which indicate a substantial community spread, it remains only one of seven in that position, health department Director Bruce Robistow said. The rest are in the red category.

Before climbing back into the orange category, Robistow said, “In previous weeks we had enjoyed a decline in new cases and percent positives. We were one of just a handful that made it into the yellow category indicating moderate community spread.”

He said, however, “As projected and noted throughout the rest of the state and country, we have started to climb once again due to cold weather and congregating indoors and not reaching herd immunity.”

Most, if not all of the cases, are tied to the Delta variant, he said.

He said there are still positive takeaways despite the county moving into the substantial spread category. “I would attribute much of our success to the continued mask mandate throughout the majority of school systems in Halifax County. Because we are a rural county our only super spreaders are school attendance.”

Robistow said, “The exceptional efforts and teamwork that is consistent throughout the public school system and community college system have played a major role in our successes. The task at hand to get full control of COVID-19 moving forward is to reach herd immunity, everyone needs to get vaccinated.”

Until that is done, he said the virus will continue to mutate and challenge people.

The plan moving forward is four steps — Vaccination through the first two shots, getting the COVID-19 booster shot, getting the flu vaccine and continuing to practice waiting 6-feet apart, frequent handwashing and wearing a facial covering.

In today’s report the health department said there are 8,161 positive cases of the virus since March of last year with 54 new cases reported today.

There have been 7,912 — 97.27 percent — recoveries; 77 active cases; and 145 related deaths.

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

Enfield (27823) –1,132 cases

Halifax (27839) – 427 cases

Hobgood (27843) – 175 cases

Hollister (27844) – 457 cases

Littleton (27850) – 690 cases

Roanoke Rapids (27870) – 4,426 cases

Scotland Neck (27874) – 618 cases

Weldon (27890) – 338 cases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Community Transmission Map

Halifax County is highlighted in orange showing a substantial level of community transmission. 

Cases by Date of Earliest Illness Identification and Race/Ethnicity

The numbers for the past week increased.

Percent Positive of COVID-19 Cases

The percent positives has increased over the past week with an average of 5 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

The numbers for the past week decreased.

Halifax County Vaccination Status

27,398 people at least partially vaccinated — 55 percent of the population

25,547 people fully vaccinated — 51 percent of the population

Vaccine block party

ABC2 is sponsoring a vaccination equity block party Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Doe Spun building in Hollister. The address is 403 Gibbs Avenue.

There will be a vaccination clinic and voter registration drive. There will be a $25 gift card incentive for those between the ages of 12 to 17 who get vaccinated.