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Polk has third week of high COVID-19 cases and percent positive rate

POLK COUNTY—Polk County added another 205 cases of COVID-19 this week in what has been about a month of high cases and high percent positive rate. 

This week’s 205 cases compares to last week’s 241 cases and the week prior of 259 cases. This week’s percent positive rate was 30.9 percent compared to last week’s record percent positive rate of 32.8 percent. 

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

Polk County has now had a total of 3,376 cases of the virus since March 2020. 

The county’s percent positive rate went from 5.1 percent 4 weeks ago to 14 percent 3 weeks ago to 21 percent 2 weeks ago to 32.8 percent last week then down to 309 percent this week. 

The county has had 49 deaths and 105 hospitalizations from the virus, according to Friday’s figures. There were no additional hospitalizations or deaths this week from the virus this week. 

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

As of Friday, 9,341 Polk County residents had at least 1 dose of the vaccine and 8,842 Polk County residents are vaccinated, according to the county’s latest data. 

Polk County’s positive cases overall have been mostly in females at 54.17 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.