Busy signals and overstrained call centers can be commonplace when so many people seek the Covid-19 vaccine. With even more people becoming eligible on the horizon, New Hanover County hopes to expand its options. (Port City Daily/Courtesy of New Hanover County)
SOUTHEASTERN NC Over the past week, North Carolina is reporting Covid-19 cases at 718,812 and 8,695 deaths, with a 10.5% daily positive rate among those being tested. Though the overall numbers continue to rise, the seven-day average for new cases dropped from 8,711 on Jan. 11 to 6,199 on Jan. 18. The death average over seven days also went down, from 91 on Jan. 11 to 71 on Jan. 18.
Pender County opens dedicated phone line for COVID-19 vaccine inquiries
Pender County dedicates phone line to vaccine updates By WECT Staff | January 21, 2021 at 4:54 PM EST - Updated January 21 at 7:42 PM
BURGAW, N.C. (WECT) - Pender County Health and Human Services now has a phone line dedicated to calls about COVID-19 vaccines.
Now, all inquiries about the COVID-19 vaccines and updates on the vaccination program should be directed to (910) 663-4200.
“The Pender County Health Department has taken thousands of calls,” said Pender County Health and Human Services Director Carolyn Moser. “This new telephone number will help us to better serve our residents.”
Wilmington-area residents are fired up over COVID-19 vaccination protocols.
Dr. David Priest, Novant Health’s senior vice president and chief safety, quality and epidemiology officer, said, “The reality is: We’re not vaccinating in this country fast enough.”
“There are people dying,” said Alice Brown, a Calabash resident who is part of the 75-and-older COVID-19 vaccine group. “I was on hold for almost an hour with the health department trying to get an appointment.”
Robert Doleman, an 84-year-old New Hanover resident and Vietnam veteran, said he was able to qualify at the local VA clinic to get his vaccine quicker after having no luck getting a vaccine appointment at the health department and Wilmington Health.
Officials with Pender County Health Department announced updated vaccine prioritization guidelines Thursday to include residents age 65 years and older
“The first doses are going to go to healthcare providers that actively deal with COVID,” Moser said.
Pender County submitted a list to the state for review of 307 healthcare workers who are in close contact with patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and who want to receiving the vaccine. They will be among the first to get it.
The remaining doses will be given to healthcare providers who may have been left off the initial list or who have changed their mind about receiving the vaccine.
If they have extra doses, the county will begin contacting people who might have indirect contact with COVID-19 patients, including morticians and workers who clean in health settings.