With morning temperatures across Cumberland County in the mid-40s to 50s this week, it officially feels like fall. These cooler temperatures often come with an increase in respiratory illnesses like the flu and Covid-19.
Cumberland County has not yet seen a spike in cases of Covid-19 or other respiratory illnesses this fall, with the last spike for Covid-19 in July. The Cumberland County Department of Public Health primarily tracts Covid-19 through particles of the virus in county wastewater. This, in addition to hospitalizations and emergency room visits, are how Covid-19 cases are now estimated in the county and across the state. Based on the wastewater monitoring data from the Rockfish Creek Water Reclamation Facility, there’s been decreasing viral particles in Cumberland County since September.
The state also hasn’t yet hit its peak for flu season. This time last year hospitals across North Carolina saw 152 flu cases, according to the state’s department of health and human services’ Detailed Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard. As of Oct. 12, the most recent data posted, there were only 34 cases. (The state data only reflects positive flu cases for individuals who sought care specifically from emergency departments.)
Statewide cases of RSV — a respiratory virus that primarily impacts infants and the elderly — also increased slightly. However, overall respiratory illness activity for viruses like Covid-19, the flu and RSV in the state remains minimal, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel. Data on flu and RSV rates in Cumberland County was not available at time of publication.
Even with low rates of respiratory illnesses almost a month into flu season, vaccines are still important, local and state health officials say — particularly amid new strains expected in the colder months ahead.
“We want people to remember to get the vaccine,” Jennifer Green, director of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, told CityView in July. “I know that feels a little trite, but truly the best thing that we can do for the fall for respiratory virus season is to get your vaccines.”
Those vaccinations apply to your pets, too. North Carolina law requires that dogs and cats over four months old be vaccinated against rabies. Cumberland County saw two cases of rabies recently: one in September involving a fox and another earlier this month in a bat. In total, there have been three confirmed cases of rabies in the county this year, according to NCDHHS’ rabies database.
How to get you, or your pet, vaccinated
Cumberland County Department of Public Health
The department offers flu, Covid-19 and RSV vaccines on a walk-in basis at its Ramsey Street location. RSV vaccines are only available for some infants and adults 60 or older. All shots are free, no insurance required. Vaccines for children under the age of 18 are covered under the federal Vaccines for Children program.
Pharmacies
Residents can schedule a vaccine appointment online at any CVS location through the pharmacy’s website. Residents will need to pay for Covid-19 vaccines at these locations if not privately insured or insured under Medicare or Medicaid.
Walgreens also offers Covid-19, flu, RSV and other vaccinations at their locations across the county. Like CVS, residents will pay out of pocket if not privately insured or covered by Medicare or Medicaid for Covid-19 vaccines. Appointments can be made online.
Cumberland County Animal Services
The county’s animal services offers one-year rabies vaccinations on a walk-in basis every Wednesday from 2–4 p.m. The cost is $5 per vaccination.
CityView Reporter Morgan Casey is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. Morgan’s reporting focuses on health care issues in and around Cumberland County and can be supported through the CityView News Fund.