135 Cases Reported

Today, 135 cases — 77 in the 28645 Zip code, 30 in 28630, 22 in 28638, five in 28601, and one in 28611 — were reported. Thirteen patients are under the age of 17; 19 are between 18 and 24; 51 are between 25 and 49; 28 patients are between 50 and 64; 13 patients are between 65 and 74; and 11 are over the age of 75.

The health department has administered more than 500 vaccinations since the end of December.

While everyone has a spot in the state’s four-phase plan, it will take time vaccinate everyone. To be certain people are vaccinated in their assigned phase, the department has a waiting list for those who wish to be vaccinated. Sign up for the waiting list anytime online at vaccine.caldwellcountync.org or people 75 and older can sign up by calling 828-426-8486 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Right now, we are scheduling appointments with people 75 who on waiting list,” explained Caldwell County Public Health Director Anna Martin. “Once a person in this age group signs up, it may take a week or more for our staff to call and schedule their appointment. We ask everyone to be patient with us as we work through the list and continue to take calls.”

More phone lines have been added to give callers easier access to COVID information and the vaccine waiting list.

To learn more about the virus in general, visit www.caldwellcountync.org/coronavirus-covid-19 or call the Emergency Operations Center at 828-426-8605. For statistical information, visit www.caldwellcountync.org/coronavirus-covid-19/dashboard.