By Jared Putnam
Staff Writer
The latest COVID-19 surge continues to outpace everything else Clay County has previously experienced during the pandemic.
Clay County Health Department reported a county-record 108 active cases as of Monday, along with three additional deaths due to the virus during the past week, bringing the county's pandemic death toll to 28 at the time.
Clay County Schools later acknowledged the death of Hayesville High School teacher Jennifer Gibson on Tuesday night in a pair of posts on its Facebook page. Gibson, who had been hospitalized due to the virus, served as the school's band teacher.
"We have lost a very special member of the Clay County Schools family tonight," the school's Facebook post said. "Jennifer will be truly missed and loved in the hearts of all Yellow Jackets forever!
"Grief counseling will be available at school for the remainder of the week for staff and students. We love you Jennifer!"
Dozens of students, colleagues and other members of the community responded with heartfelt messages acknowledging Gibson's passing.
Clay County Schools have been hit hard by the virus since classes resumed on Aug. 23. Of the 1,273 students attending the system, 37 had active positive cases of COVID-19 as of Monday, and another 285 were in quarantine. However, only 82 of those students were exposed inside a school setting, according to the system's data. Eight staff members also had active cases of the virus, and another 15 were in quarantine.
Local coronavirus case numbers briefly dropped after reaching 99 on Aug. 27, but public health officials expected numbers to rise again due to events and gatherings around the Labor Day holiday. This latest surge, fueled by the highly-contagious Delta variant, exceeds all numbers reported by the health department at the peak of the winter 2021 surge.
With many hospitals already stretched beyond normal capacity, state health officials are now reminding state residents about a different threat that could further crowd facilities: the flu.
“COVID-19 is still here, still sending North Carolinians to the hospital with severe illness and still causing deaths,” said Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, NCDHHS State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer. "As flu season begins, we all need to do what we can to be as healthy as possible.
“It is critically important to get your flu vaccine and your COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated can prevent you from getting ill and keep you from needing a hospital bed.”
Fifteen Clay County residents were hospitalized due to COVID-19 as of Monday according to the health department — 14 of which were unvaccinated.
Roughly 67 percent of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 62 percent have received two doses. The numbers are lower across the state line in Georgia, where only 53 percent of residents have received one dose, and 43 percent are considered "fully vaccinated."
Union General Hospital reported 62 inpatients as of Tuesday at its Blairsville, Ga. facility, which is licensed for 45 beds. Forty-two patients were hospitalized due to COVID-19 alone — 39 of which were unvaccinated. The hospital was also caring for seven patients in the ICU.
Union General's numbers were down, slightly, since its last update five days earlier. The hospital reported 68 patients, including nine in the ICU, as of Sept. 9.
To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination, call the Clay County Health Department at 828-389-8052.