Reservations now needed at New Hanover County Senior Resource Center which opens Monday, April 12th The New Hanover County Senior Resource Center will reopen on Monday, April 12 to participants after more than a year of being closed due to COVID-19. (Source: WECT) By Bill Murray | April 12, 2021 at 7:08 AM EDT - Updated April 12 at 7:08 AM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) -It’s been 395 days!
That’s how long the doors at the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center have been shuttered thanks to COVID-19.
“We went through a pretty major renovation costing $1.8 million dollars. We were able to improve just the aesthetics of the building, but more importantly some of the layouts of the building have changed” says director Amber Smith. “So we’re actually really excited for people to see the renovations and to use the space in it’s new form.
A new CDC study compared the two types of testing being used to detect COVID-19: rapid tests, which can produce results within 15 minutes, and lab-based send-out (RT-PCR) tests, which can take up to two-to-three days for results.
The CDC reported the rapid test had an 80% accuracy rate among those showing symptoms. That accuracy rate dropped to 41.2% when used to screen those who are asymptomatic compared to the PCR tests, which are nearly 100% accurate.
One in five patients with symptoms and confirmed COVID-19 received a negative rapid test result. Patients with symptoms and a negative rapid test are instructed to get a confirmation PCR test, wear a mask and stay home in a separate room, according to the CDC.
N.C. changed its vaccination plan so individuals ages 65 and older can get the Moderna or Pfizer series of shots. NHC will fall in line with the new order once it gets through all Friday appointments and receives another shipment of vaccines. (Port City Daily/File)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY New Hanover County Health and Human Services confirmed it will fall in line with the state’s updated vaccination plan to now serve individuals 65 years and older. First, the county must work through its limited supply of vaccines to fulfill current appointments for patients 75 and older through Friday.
County officials confirmed the change will make an additional 37,000 people eligible for the vaccine in New Hanover County.
Folks line up at New Hanover County Health and Human Services to get the Covid-19 vaccination. (Port City Daily/Shea Carver)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY â Since the Covid-19 vaccine rollout began in New Hanover County, questions keep rising from the public on where to go to get the vaccine and when â not to mention what to bring, how to get an appointment, who will administer it, and what to expect overall.
What we know so far is that New Hanover County’s vaccination program could take up to nine months to complete. Multiple variables play into the mass distribution of the vaccines â from the supply rolling into the states from the federal government to how many vaccinators need to be in place as phases progress across each county in North Carolina.