DOBBINS HEIGHTS — Richmond County residents can get a COVID019 vaccine and free fish plate on Sunday.
A vaccine drive is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15 at the Dobbins Heights Community Center.
Seafoodie will be on site handing out free plates on a first come, first serve basis until the food runs out, according to food truck owner Kendale Robinson.
Robinson added that attendees don’t have to get the vaccine to get a plate.
“If we get one person vaccinated, that’s good,” he told the RO on Monday.
The event is sponsored by the town of Dobbins Heights, the Richmond County Health Department, Seafoodie and New Bethel AME Zion Church.
According to the latest statistics from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, 17,547 Richmond County residents (39%) are partially vaccinated and 15,919 (36%) are fully vaccinated.
County Manager Bryan Land said last Tuesday evening that the Health Department is averaging 30 first-dose vaccinations each day.
While only 35% of the county was fully vaccinated at the time, Land said that 41% of those eligible for the vaccine have taken it. The Pfizer vaccine is the only one currently with authority to be administered to those as young as 12.
The county’s goal is to have 66% of the population vaccinated.
County statistics show older residents have taken the vaccine more than younger age groups.
The number of fully vaccinated residents by age group (as of Aug. 3) are as follows:
- 75 and older – 77%
- 65-74 – 74%
- 50-64 – 54%
- 25-49 – 28%
- 18-24 – 17%
- 12-17 – 10%
The Health Department on Monday began updating the COVID dashboard daily, since switching to weekly in early June, because of a recent increase in cases.
Since the Aug. 4 update, there have been 105 new cases, bringing the overall pandemic total to 5,408.
The previous week saw 148 new cases — an increase of more than 30 from the previous week — averaging out to 21 cases per day. The most recent case numbers average out to the same.
The numbers of current active cases or COVID-related hospitalizations were not included in Monday’s update.
As of Aug. 4, there were 16 residents in a hospital. The last time there were 16 local COVID-related hospitalizations was Feb. 10. That number peaked at 27 on Jan. 21.
Thirteen COVID-related deaths have been reported since June 28, including two on Monday.
Vaccines are available at the Health Department Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays from 8-11 a.m. There is no charge and no appointment necessary.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine has not been available since July 21.
