NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – New Hanover County COVID metrics continue to improve, resulting in the county remaining at the Low CDC Community Level for another week. The Pandemic Operations Center is continuing to offer the COVID-19 vaccines along with newly updated COVID-19 boosters – which can be received the same day as your annual flu vaccine.
While the COVID vaccines and boosters are available at the Pandemic Operations Center (1507 Greenfield Street) flu shots can now be received across the street at the New Hanover County Health and Human Services building (1650 Greenfield Street). Flu shots are available in the general clinic five days a week. On Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays, flu vaccines will be available from 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m., and on Tuesdays from 8 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Appointments are not required, and there is no out of pocket cost (insurance will be billed for those with insurance). More information about flu shots is available by calling 910-798-3500.
“Over the summer, we saw omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 cause an increase in cases of COVID-19 which led to a rise in our community level metrics. Now, we have specially formulated boosters to help combat these variants,” said Pandemic Operations Manager Jon Campbell. “We want to help people stay protected from COVID-19 and we can’t forget that we are also heading into flu season. Being able to receive a COVID vaccine or booster and flu vaccine on the same day at nearly the same location makes it very easy.”
COVID Information
Initial COVID vaccines and boosters are available free of charge at the Pandemic Operations Center (1507 Greenfield Street) throughout the week. Appointments are recommended but not required and can be made by visiting TakeMyShot.NC.gov. Vaccines and boosters will be available during the following days and times:
- Mondays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Thursdays from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Fridays from 1-5 p.m.
The Pandemic Operations Center is also offering no cost rapid testing. An appointment is recommended and can be made by visiting this link, but again it is not required. Rapid tests will be available during the following days and times:
- Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Fridays from 9 a.m.-noon
For more information on the Pandemic Operations Center, vaccines, boosters, or testing, visit Health.NHCgov.com/Coronavirus or call the Pandemic Operations Call Center at 910-798-6800.
Low COVID-19 Community Level
Following its weekly review of county-specific data, the CDC has kept New Hanover County at a low COVID-19 community level. Recommended precautions for this level include being fully vaccinated and boosted, and testing for COVID if you develop symptoms. Mask usage at this community level is optional. The CDC plans to update community levels weekly, so residents can check the CDC website here to know the current community impact level.
COVID-19 Community Data, as of September 16:
- New Hanover County’s percent positivity over the past 7 days is 14.2 percent (this represents positive Molecular (PCR) tests as a percent of total PCR tests performed countywide).
- Approximately 64.2 percent of New Hanover County residents are considered fully vaccinated with either two doses Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of J&J.
- Since March 1, 2020, there have been 59,752 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Hanover County, resulting in 427 deaths.