The phone has been ringing or busy all day at the Summers County Health Department as, alas, the preparation for the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine approaches.
County health administrator Chad Meador, said, “there’s been a lot of planning for this moment to arrive.”
Since Halloween COVID-19 cases statewide have grown a bulging 91% and continue to gain ground since Thanksgiving.
“For folks who are being truthful,” Chad Meador explained, “our latest uptick in cases is the direct result of Thanksgiving Day events, for a fact, from very large gatherings, family gatherings and gatherings of larger groups.”
The arrival of vaccines this week could not come at a better time.
At the end of last week the health department tallied up 327 total cases of COVID, eight in just one day for a total of 15 in just three days, Meador explained.
“During that short period of time, we found we had 79 active cases and a success story. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 237 cases have recovered. On the downside,” explained Meador. “We ended the week with five people in the hospital, and to date, 11 deaths. Overall. We are very fortunate here. Neighboring counties have had far more cases than we have had, but that could change at any moment.”
Change is promised with the arrival of the vaccines. Meador, who fully intends to be one of the first to be vaccinated, explained, “priorities were aligned in advance during the past week. We are going to vaccinate long-term care facilities, hospitals, E.M.S. and basically local health departments first.”
“And then a tentative schedule to vaccinate first responders in the next wave. We asked every segment of our first recipients to tell us what they need to cover their staff, workers and those who want it. The message is clear: If you want it and you qualify, you’re going to get it. The vaccine will be available.”
Meador continued by explaining the priorities ahead as the vaccine becomes more available.
“Vaccines are arriving soon for people over the age of 65 with certain health conditions, like hypertension, diabetes. Just about everyone over 65 have some kind of condition and they’ll be eligible.”
The vaccine will soon thereafter be available for the rest of the population, hopefully by the end of March, according to Meador.
“We’ve been doing all we can for the past nine months, with surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing and now we can offer the COVID-19 vaccine to the people,” Meador said.
Right now, as the bulk of the community waits for vaccinations, Meador hopes people will take advantage of the opportunity to receive their flu shots.
“We still have a lot of vaccine left. It takes two weeks for the vaccination to take effect, and I strongly encourage folks to get their flu shot. The health department has plenty on hand for a minimal cost or insurance coverage will take care of it. Right now, flu activity is low, COVID-19 is high, but that can change and we have worried about it. Stop by when you see the sign outside the Health Department door letting you know it’s flu vaccine day or call ahead to schedule a time to get the flu vaccine.”
