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County adds another 259 new cases; 21 percent positivity rate

POLK COUNTY—Polk County shattered its COVID-19 record this week by adding another 259 cases of the virus. 

The previous record was last week with another 134 new cases. 

This week’s percent positive rate was 21 percent compared to last week’s 14 percent. 

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

Polk County has now had a total of 2,930 cases of the virus since March 2020. 

The county’s percent positive rate went from 5.1 percent 2 weeks ago to 14 percent last week to 21 percent this week. 

The county has had 49 deaths and 104 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, 9,282 Polk County residents had at least 1 dose of the vaccine and 8,818 Polk County residents are vaccinated, according to the county’s latest data. 

Polk County’s positive cases overall have been mostly in females at more than 53 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.