Parts of Charlotte region listed as ‘code red’ for COVID by CDC
Cabarrus, Rowan and Gaston counties are considered the highest hit in the Charlotte area with COVID-19 exposure levels in the red zone, according to federal health officials.
People in counties in code red or high exposure are advised to wear a mask indoors in public, stay up to date with vaccinations and get tested if symptoms arise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The levels — low (green), medium (yellow) and high (red) — are determined by hospital beds in use, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID cases in an area, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
From July 11-24, there were 1,282 COVID cases in Gaston; 1,292 in Cabarrus; and 729 in Rowan counties, according to CDC data.
Nine NC counties went from a medium- to a high-risk classification this week, bringing the total number of high-risk counties to 50, The News & Observer reported.
In a news release last week, Gov. Roy Cooper encouraged all North Carolinians to “know their risk and take steps to protect themselves” against the increasing cases caused by the country’s most dominant strain, the Omicron BA.5 subvariant.
“While Covid variants continue to infect people, we have the tools to protect ourselves from the most serious effects of this virus,” he said.
Mecklenburg in code yellow
Before Fourth of July weekend, Mecklenburg upgraded to code green or low exposure, but the county has reverted back to medium or yellow exposure in less then a month.
From July 1-14 there were 6,867 reported cases, a 10% increase from previous two-week period, according to Mecklenburg County. Over 50% of cases are the Omicron BA.5 subvariant, the county’s data shows.
Due to the medium exposure level, people in Mecklenburg with a high risk for severe illness should wear a mask, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
The county was previously in code yellow in early June.
Ways to prepare
To get prepared for a possible increase in cases, Cooper and the NC Department of Health and Human Services advise people to:
▪ Get their booster if they haven’t yet. And get their second booster if they’re eligible.
▪ Have a supply of at-home tests on hand. Free at-home tests are available from the federal government and community sites and insurance will cover eight free at-home tests per person per month.
▪ Have a plan on how to seek treatment after a positive test. Find out now where nearby treatment options are.
▪ Add a layer of protection by wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings, especially for those at high risk for serious COVID-19 complications.
▪ Increase the ventilation of indoor spaces by opening windows.
This story was originally published July 25, 2022 at 12:05 PM.
