May 6. Following seven weeks of stable or decreasing COVID-19 activity, Mecklenburg County is showing “notable and continued” increases.

“The increases are likely due to a combination of more social activity during the recent spring holidays and the growing presence of the Omicron BA.2 subvariant,” said Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg public health director.

WASHINGTON

At this time, the Omicron variant is present in all samples collected through the County’s sequencing surveillance system. Across the nation and in North Carolina, the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron is the dominant strain being detected.

Public Health continues to advise individuals who are at a higher risk of severe disease to consider wearing a high-quality face covering when gathered in public indoor settings. Those at higher risk include individuals who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines; individuals aged 50 and older; individuals with chronic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease; and individuals with asthma or lung diseases like COPD.

Stay prepared and protect against COVID-19:

—Being up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. That means everyone 12 years old and up should have a booster vaccine. People 50 and over who received their third dose of the vaccine more than four months ago are eligible for a fourth dose.

—If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms, including those that may seem like seasonal allergies, isolate from others and take a rapid antigen test at home or visit a provider to for a PCR test.

—Knowing your COVID-19 treatment options and discussing them with your provider.

—If you test positive, seek treatment early, isolate from others for at least five days and wear a mask around other people for an additional five days after isolation is complete.

For more information about Mecklenburg County’s COVID-19 indicators, vaccines, testing, treatment, and resources, visit mecknc.gov/COVID-19.