Full Notification

February 9, 2021

The McDowell County Health Department has been notified that 28 additional McDowell County residents have tested positive for novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
   
This brings the total number of positives to 4,438 in McDowell County. There have been 38,038 tests conducted, 33,425 negative results and 175 tests are pending results.  Presently, there are 216 individuals in quarantine, 4,153 out of quarantine and 69 deaths.  McDowell County’s 14-day positivity rate is 17.9%. 

COVID-19 continues to pose a significant threat to our community.  Please do your part to prevent additional spread of the virus by wearing a mask, waiting six feet apart, avoiding gatherings, and washing your hands often.  These simple steps help protect you, your family, neighbors, and our local businesses. 

McDowell County Health Department along with McDowell County Emergency Services continue to vaccinate healthcare workers and people who are 65 years of age and older, by appointment only.  Vaccine supplies continue to be low across the state.  Those 65 years of age and older and healthcare workers can get their name on the waitlist by calling 828-803-4552 or by visiting mcdowellem.com, clicking on the red button and filling out the online form.  The Vaccine Hotline is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and is available in English and Spanish. The online form can be filled out 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Those on the waitlist will receive a call when there’s a vaccine secured for them.
 
McDowell County Vaccine Doses Administered:

• First Doses: 4,890
• Second Doses: 731
• Total Doses administered 5,621

 
Emergency Services and Public Health staff continue to work 7 days a week responding to this pandemic.  Both agencies continue to offer assistance and logistical support to facilities that are experiencing current outbreaks of COVID-19. Outbreaks are defined by DHHS as:  two or more cases of COVID-19 in a congregate living facility within 28 days.  The current outbreaks in McDowell County are:

• Marion Correctional Institution: a total of 69 staff and 110 inmates have tested positive. 
• McDowell County Detention Center: a total of 30 inmates and 5 staff have tested positive.  A total of 23 inmates and 4 staff members have recovered.
• Deer Park Health & Rehabilitation: a total of 8 staff members and 2 residents have tested positive.
• Cedarbrook Residential Center: a total of 9 staff members and 40 residents have tested positive. 
• Rose Hill Retirement Community: a total of 14 staff members and 36 residents have tested positive. A total of 7 residents have died due to COVID-19.
• McDowell House: a total of 3 staff members have tested positive.
• Houston House: a total of 7 staff members and 18 residents have tested positive. Sadly, 1 resident has died due to COVID-19. 

The McDowell County COVID-19 Hotline continues to operate 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The COVID-19 Hotline number is (828) 527- 6687. The Spanish line can be reached by calling (828) 460-1256.  If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 and inform the dispatcher that you have symptoms of COVID-19.  To view McDowell County’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard, please click the following link: http://www.mcdowellem.com/covid-19-information.html

Free COVID-19 testing will be conducted at the following locations via a drive-thru setup:

• McDowell County Health Dept; Wednesday, February 10^th from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.