Charlotte in ‘code yellow’ for COVID exposure as cases rise. Wearing masks encouraged
After leveling off in early November, COVID-19 case counts are trending up in Mecklenburg County.
From Dec. 10-17, there were 1,969 COVID-19 cases reported throughout the county, up from 1,768 the previous week, according to the most recent data available from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The uptick in COVID-19 cases can be attributed to gatherings during the fall and winter holidays, the Mecklenburg County Health Department told The Charlotte Observer in an email.
“Currently COVID-19 and other seasonal respiratory viruses are impacting our region, state, and nation,” a statement said. “This is largely due to increased indoor, public activity during this time of year including holiday and family gatherings, travel and other types of seasonal activities where individuals avoid colder temperatures outdoors.”
Mecklenburg County is currently in code yellow or medium-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.
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Should the Charlotte residents go back to masking?
With the medium-level exposure rating, the CDC and county health officials are recommending that Mecklenburg County residents who are at high risk of getting sick 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.
Health officials also suggest that residents avoid contact with people who have COVID-19, and follow isolation protocols if they test positive for the virus.
How to get free at-home COVID tests
After the program was paused in September due to low supply on Dec. 15, the Biden Administration restarted its partnership with the U.S. Postal Service to mail free at-home COVID tests.
You can request up to four free tests at COVIDTests.gov.
To place an order on the website, enter your name and address. Updates about the order are available by providing an email.
At-home COVID tests can also be purchased from Charlotte pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens.
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This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 11:11 AM.
