‘Code red’ COVID exposure level suggests Charlotte-area residents should mask indoors
As Mecklenburg County sits in code red for exposure levels, the Biden administration will soon end its free COVID-19 test home delivery program.
The county is currently in code red or high-level exposure for COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention community levels transmission map.
Levels can be low, medium, or high, and are determined by the CDC community levels map that examines available hospital bed capacity, COVID hospital admissions, and new cases in an area to determine the severity of transmission.
From Aug. 13-20, there were 2,191 COVID-19 cases reported in Mecklenburg County, down from 2,788 the previous week, according to the most recent data available from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The number of weekly cases reported in the summer peaked at 3,954 during the week of July 23, NCDHHS data show.
With the high level exposure rating, the CDC recommends that Mecklenburg County residents wear high-quality masks indoors in public such as a KN95 or N95 model, stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms.
The area’s current virus situation comes amid the announcement that the federal government will end its free COVID-19 test distribution program on Friday due to lack of congressional funding.
The government has distributed an estimated 600 million tests through its COVID-19 test website. It was not immediately clear how many are currently left in the current stockpile, NBC reported.
The first round of tests were made available in December followed by a second round in March. A third free supply was distributed in June.
RELATED: The White House is offering another round of free COVID tests. How to get them in Charlotte
Those interested can still visit COVIDTests.gov to order up to eight free tests, according to the website.
To place an order, you just need to enter your name and address on the website. You can also provide an email address to receive updates on the order.
Those with difficulty accessing the internet or who need additional assistance should call 1-800-232-0233. The line is open from 8 a.m.-midnight daily.
This story was originally published August 30, 2022 at 10:49 AM.
