High level of COVID-19 reported in Rowan County as BA.5 variant cases rise

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Rowan County is one of 51 North Carolina counties now at a high community level of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday morning.

The development comes with the BA.5 variant now being the most common COVID variant in the state. According to the Rowan County Health Department, the BA.5 variant is “causing repeat infections, even in those individuals who have had recent past infections from other variants and/or who have already been vaccinated.”

Despite the variant’s ability to infect those who have been vaccinated, Rowan County says “getting vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible ... is still the most effective and preventative thing an individual can do.”

According to a news release sent Friday, Rowan County health officials say there’s been an increase in the amount of COVID-19 virus being detected in wastewater samples.

Rowan County also recommends having at-home COVID-19 tests, and you should stay at home if you start feeling sick or test positive. You can get free COVID-19 at-home tests by calling 980-432-1800 or emailing Covid-19@rowancountync.gov.

You can find more information on Channel 9′s COVID-19 information page at this link.

(WATCH BELOW: Rowan County health officials confirm first monkeypox case)

Rowan County health officials confirm first monkeypox case

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