The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus continues to rapidly spread through Graham County.
Last week, the Graham County Department of Public Health confirmed 77 new cases between Aug. 30 and Sept. 3. Two additional deaths were confirmed Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 – bringing Graham's total death count to 19 – and a third outbreak at Graham Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center was revealed late Aug. 31.
Graham County Health Director Beth Booth said in an email to The Graham Star on Friday that no additional details were available on the outbreak, other than two staff members had tested positive for COVID-19. One was vaccinated; the other was not. As of Friday, no residents or any additional staff had tested positive; an "outbreak" at a long-term facility is defined as two or more individuals testing positive.
The first outbreak at the facility was reported Aug. 24, 2020, which resulted in 43 residents and 21 staff members testing positive, and included one death. The second was confirmed Nov. 9, when three staff members – each local residents – tested positive.
The two reported deaths make five since June and four since the beginning of August. Between Aug. 24-30, the county's health department recorded 82 new cases and reported 251 new cases within a 30-day window, 177 over the span of 14 days.
"Just remember, public health is here to help the citizens. We are not out for personal gains, political sway or government control," Booth said. "We are here to protect everyone. We ask that everyone do their part and help us reduce the spread of the virus."
Friday's data – the most recent available, as the health department did not release numbers Monday, due to the holiday – noted 998 positive cases overall in Graham County, an increase of 332 since June 30.