COVID-19
North Carolina Covid-19 Stats
What we are doing:
City of High Point staff has been meeting with County and State Health officials and monitoring the spread of COVID-19, the Coronavirus. The City is taking recommended precautions and is following the guidelines outlined by the CDC. Additionally, we are taking proactive measures to promote the safety of patrons, participants, staff and our community.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
Click to read full release
The Guilford County Commissioners, serving in the capacity of the County Board of Health voted at a special meeting Monday, November 15 to rescind the countywide mask mandate which was adopted on August 26, 2021; requiring face masks to be worn in public spaces. The Board voted unanimously to rescind the mandate effective immediately.
Give us your opinion!
Take our survey to let us know how you would use the $22 million to support your community!
Public Discussion
The City of High Point will host a joint public input meeting with Guilford County regarding the use of ARPA funds on Oct. 25, 2021. Join us for a community conversation to identify areas of opportunities and discuss how to best utilize these funds.
Nov. 16, 2021
6 - 7:30 p.m.
High Point Public Library
901 North Main St,
High Point, N.C. 27262
Click to watch the live ARP meeting at the Library
Give us your opinion!
Take our survey to let us know how you would use the $22 million to support your community!
Public Discussion
The City of High Point will host a joint public input meeting with Guilford County regarding the use of ARPA funds on Oct. 25, 2021. Join us for a community conversation to identify areas of opportunities and discuss how to best utilize these funds.
Nov. 18, 2021
6 - 7:30 p.m.
High Point Museum
1859 East Lexington Ave,
High Point, NC 27262
Click to watch the live ARP meeting at the Museum
- With the CDC recommendation, North Carolina teens ages 12 and older can now get vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves from COVID-19, including preventing virus-related hospitalizations and deaths. The NC Department of Health and Human Services' State Health Director has amended the Standing Order authorizing health care providers to administer COVID-19 vaccines through an Emergency Use Authorization to include the use of the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents ages 12 through 15. To find providers with the Pfizer vaccine, go to MySpot.nc.gov and filter for Pfizer.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. shared an update on the state’s COVID-19 progress. Throughout the pandemic, state officials have taken a data-driven approach and have been guided by the science in making decisions. Following yesterday’s guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that fully vaccinated individuals can safely do most activities without wearing a mask or the need to social distance from others, the state will remove its indoor mask mandate for most settings. Additionally, the state will lift all mass gathering limits and social distancing requirements. These changes are now in effect as of 1:30 PM today.
“We can take this step today because the science shows our focus on getting people vaccinated is working,” said Governor Cooper. “But to keep moving forward – and to make sure that we keep saving lives – more people need to get vaccinated.”
The ability to lift restrictions sooner than anticipated following the CDC’s guidance shows the importance of vaccinating all North Carolinians. As of this week, even more people can get vaccinated. Younger teens between 12 and 15 can now get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Young people are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus, just like everyone else, and the percent of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina children 17 and under has been increasing.
North Carolina continues to focus on distributing vaccines quickly and equitably. To date, the state has administered over 7.7 million doses. 51% percent of those 18 and up are at least partially vaccinated, and 46% percent of those 18 and up have been fully vaccinated.
“I am so proud of the incredible progress we have made in beating back this pandemic,” said Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “Vaccines continue to be incredibly effective at protecting individuals from this terrible virus. And as more and more people get vaccinated, the results show in our stable metrics with lower cases, lower hospitalizations, and lower deaths.”
In accordance with the new CDC guidance, there will still be certain settings where masks and other safety measures will be required. Masks will still be required in child care, schools and camps as most children are either not yet vaccinated or are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Everyone, including people who are fully vaccinated will still be required to wear a mask in certain settings such as public transportation, health care settings like hospitals, doctor’s offices and long-term care settings like nursing homes, and certain congregate settings like correctional facilities and homeless shelters.
NCDHHS will continue to have strong public health recommendations for individuals to continue to protect one another until more people are vaccinated. People who are not vaccinated should wear a mask and maintain distance in all indoor public settings and in outdoor settings when they can't maintain six feet of distance.
Masks are strongly recommended for everyone at large crowded indoor events like sporting events and live performances.
NCDHHS recommends public facing businesses post signage reminding guests to social distance and wear a face covering if they are not fully vaccinated; remind employees to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19; have a plan to immediately isolate and remove sick workers; and clean high-touch surfaces once a day. Businesses may choose to continue to require that their customers wear masks.
The Department of Health and Human Services will also continue to expand strategies to reach people who have not yet gotten vaccinated.
Information on the state’s vaccine distribution is available at YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov (English) or Vacunate.nc.gov (Spanish). People can find nearby vaccine providers using NCDHHS’ online tool, Find a Vaccine Location. The state’s COVID-19 vaccine hotline number is 888-675-4567.
- CDC guidance:
- If you are fully vaccinated, you can participate in many of the activities that you did before the pandemic.
- To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
- Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated. If this applies to you or your household, you might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission in your area.
- You should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance.
Guilford Co. Mask Mandate effective Friday, Aug. 13, at 5 p.m.
The Guilford Co. Board of Commissioners issued a mask mandate effective Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at 5 p.m. Under this mandate, individuals are required to wear a face-covering when indoors in Guilford Co. businesses, establishments and public places.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jeron Hollis - 336.883.8507
MESSAGE FROM HIGH POINT MAYOR JAY WAGNER
COVID-19 Omicron Variant Transmission
HIGH POINT, N.C. (Jan. 3, 2022) – The City of High Point and Guilford County have seen a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations due to the new Omicron variant. Although evidence shows that infections from Omicron are generally less severe than the Delta variant, the greatly increased numbers of Omicron cases are putting unsustainable stress on our health care systems. Increased infection rates are also putting added stress on our first responders and public safety officers. If local cases follow the trajectory seen in other areas, local health officials predict that the current wave of Omicron cases will likely peak in our area sometime between Jan. 9 and 14. As we begin our third year fighting COVID, I recognize that many of you are weary of the fight, but now is the time to redouble our efforts in protecting ourselves, our loved ones and our community.
I am calling on all High Pointers (but especially those at heightened risk) to:
- Get vaccinated or boosted
- Limit large indoor gatherings.
- Work from home if possible.
- Wear a surgical, KN-95 or N95 mask when necessary to protect yourself and others.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
- Physically distance from others whenever possible.
Many in Guilford County are calling for renewed mandates to combat the current surge. I don’t believe in limiting your freedom with mandates, but responsibility is the price of freedom. We are (still) all in this together!
The City of High Point aims to serve as the catalyst for bringing together the community’s human, economic and civic resources for the purpose of creating the single most livable, safe and prosperous community in America.
For more information on the City, visit www.highpointnc.gov.
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Guilford County Board of Health Issues County Wide COVID-19 Indoor Mask Rule
Mandatory Mask Policy Re-Instated Effective January 13, 2022, at 6:30PM
Post Date:01/13/2022 8:40 PM
During today’s 5:00PM Virtual Special Meeting, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, serving in the role of the County Board of Health, issued a COVID- 19 mask mandate. The approved rule became effective upon adoption at 6:30PM Thursday, January 13, 2022 for Guilford County residents and businesses due to the to the severity of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Omicron Variant currently affecting Guilford County, North Carolina and the United States.
Guilford County Commissioners voted to re-instate its mandatory mask policy for all persons throughout Guilford County, regardless of their vaccination status. Pursuant to the Guilford County Board of Health rule, individuals must wear face coverings when indoors in all business, establishments and public places. Failure to comply with this re-instated mask rule could result in leveraged civil penalties.
This reinstated countywide mandatory mask mandate takes place five months to the day from the last reinstated mask mandate which occurred due to a surge of the COVID-19 Delta Variant. Since that time, Omicron has taken the forefront as the prevailing variant affecting the United States. Guilford County is currently experiencing a significant surge in infection rates with a 14-day positivity rate of 26.8% up from 7.4% positivity rates in December. Medical partners urged the Board of Commissioners to take immediate mitigation efforts to help address the surge’s impacts to the health system.
County residents and businesses are encouraged to follow all directives and recommendations set forth by the Guilford County Board of Health, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the Guilford County Department of Public Health in order to slow the spread of the virus and help reduce the county’s rapidly rising rates of infection.
“This Board of Health rule is necessary to safeguard our residents, visitors, and local businesses as well as protect our local health partners and county Emergency Management resources,” stated Guilford County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Melvin ‘Skip’ Alston. “While no one can clearly predict how this situation will continue to evolve, what we do know for sure is that the continued exponential increase in COVID-19 positives is unacceptable and we must act now to mitigate its effect; we simply cannot stand idly by while our residents continue to die. I am confident about our emergency preparedness plans, our staff, and the fact that our community stakeholders are doing their best to protect our residents. It is always the right time to do the right thing. Regardless of your vaccination status, we know that wearing masks helps prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus and we know it saves lives."
County officials will begin communication efforts to share the newly adopted rules and educate the public on the new masking requirements immediately.
To keep up with the latest information for COVID-19, and learn more about the newly adopted Board of Health Rule visit www.healthyguilford.com
Commissioners Vote to Repeal Mask Mandate Immediately
Local businesses encouraged to make own decisions regarding masking
Post Date:02/18/2022 1:03 PM
Guilford County Commissioners met Thursday, February 17, 2022 as the Guilford County Board of Health and voted to repeal the countywide mask mandate. Guilford County businesses can now make masking decisions for themselves. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper urged all municipalities, as well as schools, across the state to repeal the requirements in a press conference earlier in the afternoon.
The motion to rescind the mask mandate passed 7-0, effective immediately.
“If you go into a business and they feel a mask protects them and protects their customers and they require you to wear a mask then you should wear a mask. It’s their business.” said Chairman Alston. “We will be lifting this mask mandate immediately but I am encouraging all the businesses just like the Governor did…if you feel that your business should require a mask before someone enters into it then put a sign on the door. I have several businesses and I’m going to put a sign on all the doors because I want to protect my employees and I want to protect my customers. That’s my choice.”
Governor Cooper cited his reasoning for his recommendation as North Carolina’s COVID-19 metrics continue to move in the right direction and the wide availability of vaccines.
As of March 7, Cooper said low-risk settings, such as schools can make masks voluntary, at the discretion of local officials.
“We are taking a positive step on mask requirements to help us move safely toward a more normal day-to-day life,” Cooper said. “It’s time to focus on getting our children a good education and improving our schools, no matter how you feel about masks.”
There are still some places, such as health care, long-term care and transportation like airplanes, where a mask will be required because of the setting or federal regulations.
For More Information visit the following:
CDC.gov/Coronavirus
Guilford County Health Department
Randolph County Health Department
Davidson County Health Department
Forsyth County Health Department