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Despite the number of COVID-19 cases in Beaufort County lowering to 211 (as of May 14), the county is still categorized as a “medium” level COVID community by the Centers for Disease Control. A month prior, there were 105 more cases, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS). There have been a total of 81 cases in the last week, per the department. 

 

In total, there have been 12,939 COVID cases in Beaufort County and 175 deaths, according to the NC DHHS.  

 

Overall, there has been a slight increase in COVID cases across North Carolina. The week of May 9, there were a reported 23,919 cases, according to NCDHHS. The following week there were 28,369 cases. Then, cases dipped to 26,446. From May 9 to May 28, hospitalizations have increased from 524 to 734. 

 

There has been a gradual increase in the last month which means a slower spread in the county, James Madson, health director of the Beaufort County Health Department said. Most cases at ECUHealth Medical Center have been the VA-2 Omicron variant, he said. 

 

Madson added that the health department is continuing to watch for big spikes in cases. When there is a spike in cases or when the number of cases continues to increase over a long period of time, then there is more reason to be concerned, Madson said. 

 

At this time, Madson advises residents to stay home when they are feeling sick, test when there is a chance they could have COVID, stay up to date on vaccines and people who are at a higher risk of getting COVID need to be vigilant.