COVID-19 News

  • June 12 marked the end of the requirement to show a negative COVID test in order to enter the U.S. by plane. However, most people will still be required to present proof of vaccination with an accepted vaccine.
  • In the last month, Mexico has experienced a 350% increase in COVID cases. In line with international trends, deaths have not increased as significantly as in previous waves. The Mexican government continues to work with Cuba to move towards vaccination of 5 to 11 year olds with the Cuban-made vaccine, Abdala, in hopes of further mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
  • Two new Omicron subvariants of the coronavirus, dubbed BA.4 and BA.5, are gaining ground and may become the dominant variants in the U.S. in coming weeks.
    To protect yourself, stay up to date on your vaccinations, including boosters – anyone 5 years and older is eligible for a booster (3rd shot) after the primary vaccination series, and anyone 50 years and older or anyone 12 and older who is immunocompromised is eligible for a second booster (4th dose).
  • As a reminder, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. is meeting this week to potentially approve COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 6 months to 5 years. The CDC would then meet shortly thereafter to potentially offer final approval. Check next week’s update for any news related to vaccination of young children!
  • Novavax may become the 4th COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in the U.S. An advisory committee recommended last week that the FDA authorize this 4th vaccine, and in addition to FDA approval, the CDC would also have to recommend its use. Some proponents of the new vaccine hope that it may help to overcome some vaccine hesitancy, as it is not based on mRNA but rather uses proteins from the surface of the virus, vaccine technology that has been used for decades.

Short video summary of this Weekly Update:

Audio: English, Spanish

 

Opportunities

  • Job opportunity: Chesapeake Health Care is looking for Spanish & Haitian Creole speaking medical interpreters! Check out the job listings (listed alphabetically under “Hispanic and Haitian Creole Interpreters”) on Chesapeake Health Care’s job opening site here.

State Level Data Overview

Vaccination rates by state

(% of population ≥ 5 years of age fully vaccinated)

  • Delaware: 74.0%
  • Maryland: 81.2%
  • Virginia: 78.4%
  • North Carolina: 66.1%
  • South Carolina: 60.9%
  • Georgia: 58.8%

Booster rates by state

(% of fully vaccinated population that has received at least 1 booster dose)

  • Delaware: 46.7%
  • Maryland: 52.0%
  • Virginia: 48.2%
  • North Carolina: 27.1%
  • South Carolina: 40.8%
  • Georgia: 38.8%

COVID-19 case rates per 100K people by state

State Snapshots

Delaware

  • In May 2022, Delaware set a tragic new monthly record: 42 deaths related to suspected overdoses. You can download materials related to addiction and overdose prevention in English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish at HelpIsHereDE.com.

Vaccination rates by county

(% of population ≥ 5 years of age fully vaccinated)

  • Kent: 60.4%
  • Sussex: 72.9%

Booster rates by county

(% of fully vaccinated population that has received at least 1 booster dose)

  • Kent: 44.1%
  • Sussex: 50.9%

COVID-19 case rates per 100K people by county

Maryland

  • Anyone under 18 is eligible for free meals this summer at sites across the state of Maryland! To find a site near you, visit MDsummerMeals.com, call 211, or text the word “food” for assistance in English or “comida” for assistance in Spanish to 304-304.

Vaccination rates by county

(% of population ≥ 5 years of age fully vaccinated)

  • Dorchester: 63.5%
  • Somerset: 53.1%
  • Wicomico: 60.1%

Booster rates by county

(% of fully vaccinated population that has received at least 1 booster dose)

  • Dorchester: 52.4%
  • Somerset: 50.9%
  • Wicomico: 50.2%

COVID-19 case rates per 100K people by county

Virginia

  • The Central Shenandoah Health District published a bilingual schedule for vaccination clinics in June. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and boosters for anyone 5 years and older will be available at the Health Departments in Harrisonburg-Rockingham, Lexington-Rockbridge, and Waynesboro every Thursday from 9 AM to 11:30 AM and 1 PM to 3 PM.

Vaccination rates by county

(% of population ≥ 5 years of age fully vaccinated)

  • Accomack: 78.4%
  • Northampton: 75.5%
  • Northumberland: 56.3%
  • Rockingham: 45.8%
  • Shenandoah: 52.5%

Booster rates by county

(% of fully vaccinated population that has received at least 1 booster dose)

  • Accomack: 45.4%
  • Northampton: 50.2%
  • Northumberland: 27.8%
  • Rockingham: 22.2%
  • Shenandoah: 40.3%

COVID-19 case rates per 100K people by county

North Carolina

  • Due to the infant formula shortage, North Carolina WIC recipients can now use their benefits for 55 additional types and brands of formula to allow recipients to access what’s available in stores. This chart in English and Spanish can help recipients determine what additional formulas can be accessed with their benefits.

Vaccination rates by county

(% of population ≥ 5 years of age fully vaccinated)

  • Alamance: 64.4%
  • Burke: 50.6%
  • Chatham: 68.4%
  • Forsyth: 68.4%
  • Guilford: 68.1%
  • Mecklenberg: 69.5%
  • Pasquotank: 59.0%
  • Wilkes: 50.4%

Booster rates by county

(% of fully vaccinated population that has received at least 1 booster dose)

  • Alamance: 24.3%
  • Burke: 26.8%
  • Chatham: 23.0%
  • Forsyth: 23.9%
  • Guilford: 19.8%
  • Mecklenberg: 24.2%
  • Pasquotank: 27.6%
  • Wilkes: 24.4%

COVID-19 case rates per 100K people by county

South Carolina

Vaccination rates by county

(% of population ≥ 5 years of age fully vaccinated)

  • Greenville: 59.6%
  • Greenwood: 51.6%
  • Lexington: 59.6%
  • Marlboro: 47.0%
  • Spartanburg: 47.1%
  • Sumter: 61.7%

Booster rates by county

(% of fully vaccinated population that has received at least 1 booster dose)

  • Greenville: 43.1%
  • Greenwood: 45.4%
  • Lexington: 42.0%
  • Marlboro: 36.0%
  • Spartanburg: 41.5%
  • Sumter: 34.1%

COVID-19 case rates per 100K people by county

Georgia

  • The Latino Community Fund published a helpful guide in Spanish to help community members understand their rights and the U.S. healthcare system. Download a copy of this comprehensive guide today!

Vaccination rates by county

(% of population ≥ 5 years of age fully vaccinated)

  • Carroll: 40.7%
  • Clayton: 47.6%
  • Cobb: 62.7%
  • DeKalb: 61.2%
  • Fulton: 60.4%
  • Gwinnett: 59.5%
  • Hall: 48.7%

Booster rates by county

(% of fully vaccinated population that has received at least 1 booster dose)

  • Carroll: 36.9%
  • Clayton: 36.0%
  • Cobb: 43.4%
  • DeKalb: 45.8%
  • Fulton: 46.4%
  • Gwinnett: 41.7%
  • Hall: 37.9%

COVID-19 case rates per 100K people by county

Data Sources: