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County adds another 134 cases; 14 percent positive rate

POLK COUNTY—Polk County had a record number of cases of COVID-19 this week. 

The county added 134 cases and had a 14 percent positive rate, which is the most the county has seen since the virus began. 

The Polk County Department of Health and Human Services released its weekly COVID dashboard last Friday. 

Polk County has now had a total of 2,671 cases of the virus since March 2020. 

The county’s percent positive rate went from 5.1 percent last week to 14 percent this week. 

The county has had 49 deaths and 103 hospitalizations from the virus, according to Friday’s figures. 

The county’s percent of its population that is vaccinated remains at 43 percent as of this week. 

As of Friday, 9,274 Polk County residents had at least 1 dose of the vaccine and 8,814 Polk County residents are fully vaccinated, according to the county’s latest data. 

Polk County’s positive cases overall have been mostly in females at more than 54 percent this week. 

Most of the county’s cases have been in people age 25-49, followed by people age 50-64; people age 0-17 and people age 65-74. The least cases have been in people age 75 and above and 18-24. 

Vaccines are free for anyone and are now being administered to everyone age 5 and older in North Carolina. 

Booster shots are now also available to most people. 

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 for the virus as well as for flu and pneumonia. 

Vaccinations and testing are being done at 40 Ward St., Columbus on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Vaccinations are from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and testing is done from 2-6 p.m. The testing and vaccinations are provided by Optum Health, are free and no appointment is necessary.