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Polk health officials urge people to get vaccinated

POLK COUNTY—Tuesday was eye-opening day in Polk County that the COVID-19 virus is far from over. 

The Polk County Division of Public Health reported 9 new cases on Tuesday alone, which was the highest daily count the county has seen in months. 

“Cases are rising, but what is a case,” said Polk County Health and Human Services Director Joshua Kennedy. “A case is your neighbor, your aunt, your uncle, your mother, your son, or possibly your grandchild. As Rev. Franklin Graham recently stated regarding the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccines, it is about preserving all life and the lives of those we love. 

This is probably one of the few times in history we have the right tool at the right time to stop a completely preventable disease, and this tool(s) is one of the three COVID-19 vaccines. If you are still debating on the benefits I am asking that you make one quick call to your doctor for his or her opinion. It truly breaks our hearts to see John, Mary, Sue, and Jack on a list of those now infected or perhaps worse hospitalized. One quick call to your doctor to ask them about the facts, because we care about you.” 

Polk County picked up another 21 cases of COVID-19 this week. Polk County has now had 1,582 cases since last March. The county’s percent positive rate this week was 5.8 percent. County health officials said on Friday that 39 percent have been fully vaccinated in the county. 

The county has 8,067 residents who are fully vaccinated and another 8,566 of residents have had at least one vaccination. 

Vaccines are free for anyone and are now being administered to everyone age 12 and older in North Carolina. 

Most cases have continued to be in people age 25-49, followed by people age 50-64; people age 75 and above; people age 65-74; people age 0-17 and people age 18-24, according to the latest report. 

To schedule an appointment with the county people can call the Polk County COVID message line at 828-722-5086. More information is also available on a special COVID-19 tab located at polknc.org. 

Local pharmacies are also now giving vaccines.