COVID-19 cases continue to fall for Buncombe County, positivity rate lowest since July

As COVID-19 cases continue to decline in Buncombe County, the 4.7% positivity rate dropped below 5% for the first time since July. 

“The takeaway message right now is that we continue to see improvement, but the decline in the surge is happening slower than the rise or increase occurred,” said Public Health Director Stacie Saunders in a statement from Nov. 2.

Cases decreased from 119 to 107 per 100,000, according to the county community update. However, the death rate reportedly increased with seven new deaths in Buncombe County the week of Nov. 1. 

Buncombe County Health and Human Services reported roughly 71% of the eligible population in the county have received their first does of the vaccine. BCHHS plans to host a public forum for parents to ask questions about vaccinations for young people on Nov. 9.

Roughly 650 first doses of the vaccine were administered during a recently concluded 30-day vaccination push by BCHHS. 

Buncombe County extended the county mask mandate on Oct. 27 through the end of November. The town of Black Mountain agreed to abide by the county's recommendation. 

"Please don’t let your guard down. COVID-19 is still abundantly circulating in our community," Saunders said on Nov. 2.