Chatham County marks zero COVID-19 deaths since May

Also, more than half of the population, 51 percent, in the county has received a vaccine shot.

Mike Zelek, Chatham County’s public health director, attributed that statistic to an uptick in the local vaccination rate.

“It’s also keeping people out the hospital and the coffin, frankly,” added Zelek.

The latest state data shows COVID-19 cases up, but deaths and hospitalizations are down in Chatham County.

“Last time we did the analysis, about 94 percent of our cases since May through early July were among those not fully vaccinated, so the vaccines do work,” said Zelek.

He added the low death rate is also partly because the community has been very receptive to the county’s vaccination campaigns and initiatives.

“Communication and messaging is critical. That's been no different during COVID,” said Zachary Horner, the county’s communication specialist.

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Chatham County has had 89 deaths since the start of the pandemic. That’s less than half of the 182 deaths in Wilson County, which has about the same population.

Chatham County, which has an estimated population of 75,000, has reported about 4,925 cases of the virus during the pandemic, which is about 6.5 percent of the population. Health officials of those 4,925 cases, 4,836 people recovered from the virus.

The virus has been most deadly for those over 65 years of age.

But Zelek said the number of cases per week is now trending upward.

“Let’s just say, back in June, it was under 10 [cases], and now it’s well over 100 ... close to 140 in Chatham County. That’s really what you’re seeing in a lot of places. [We're] getting numbers we haven’t hit since late January,” he added.

That's why county leaders are ramping up the efforts to get shots into arms across the region.

“From going to events, going to churches, answering questions on a daily basis, I think that, if anything, what makes us, maybe not unique, but makes us special, is our people. Our community has really come together to fight back,” added Horner.

“We made a lot of progress, but I want to say we’ve got room to grow,” added Zelek.

The Health Department hosts vaccine clinics every Friday in Siler City.