Eastern North Carolina is seeing a noticeable uptick in COVID-19 and other respiratory virus cases. Similar to the last few years, respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, are expected to rise and fall between now and the end of respiratory virus season in 2025. While receiving a positive COVID-19 test result can still be concerning, understanding how to respond can help protect yourself and others.
What to Do If You Test Positive
If you test positive for COVID-19, consult with your doctor or health care provider promptly. If you receive a clinical diagnosis for COVID-19, you may be eligible for medication that can aid in your recovery and prevent severe illness
For individuals at higher risk of serious illness — such as those who are immunocompromised, over the age of 65, or have conditions like heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease — medication can play a crucial role in managing their health.
It’s important to act quickly, as these treatments are most effective when started as soon as possible, ideally within the treatment window after the onset of your first symptoms.
Treatments and Preventative Measures
Fortunately, treatments are available that may help reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. These medications have already been administered to millions of people, helping to lower the risk of severe illness and keeping many out of the hospital.
“ECU Health has previously analyzed the number of COVID inpatients who utilized antivirals before hospitalization,” said Dr. Ryan Gallaher, medical director of infectious diseases, ECU Health. “This data highlights a significant opportunity for at-risk patients to take advantage of these effective antivirals, which can greatly reduce the risk of hospitalization.”
Dr. Gallaher also recommends staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, and the 2024–25 vaccines are expected to be available in fall 2024. Washing your hands often, avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms and wearing a mask can still help prevent the spread of COVID-19. By staying informed and taking proactive steps, we can work together to manage this increase in COVID-19 cases and protect the health of our community.
If you have questions or suspect you may have COVID-19, contact your primary care provider. Learn more about establishing primary care at ECU Health here.
Greenville, N.C. – With a significant decrease in demand for COVID-19 testing, combined with the extensive availability of other convenient options such as at-home tests, community health departments and physician practices, ECU Health is closing its COVID-19 testing sites effective Friday, July 29. This includes testing sites at 13 ECU Health medical group clinics (formerly Vidant Medical Group) and the drive-thru testing site in Greenville. This decision comes as North Carolina nears the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency, which will be lifted mid-August.
From the onset of the pandemic, ECU Health has placed the health, well-being and safety of eastern North Carolina at the forefront of our COVID-19 response. Once COVID-19 testing capabilities were established, ECU Health heavily invested in building a robust, state-of-the-art testing program. Since launching the testing sites across the region, we have been able to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on our region as well as share this valuable data with community members.
ECU Health established the Greenville drive-thru COVID-19 testing site and regional testing sites when other convenient testing options were not available. These testing sites, which have helped mitigate the spread of COVID-19, served our communities for almost two years. Throughout this time, ECU Health resulted more than 800,000 total tests.
Regrettably, closing the testing sites impacts the employment of 141 team members across the region who were specifically hired to support the health system’s COVID-19 response. ECU Health is providing human resources and talent acquisition support to all team members who are interested in applying for open positions for which they are qualified for within the health system. This includes those who are working in part-time, full-time and supplemental roles related to the system’s initial COVID-19 response efforts.
ECU Health will continue to provide COVID-19 testing, if needed and by appointment, for patients during their scheduled visits at ECU Health primary care offices. Testing will also be available as needed in the inpatient setting.
The community should continue to follow the usual protocols when sick, and seek appointments with their primary care providers. Those strictly seeking a COVID-19 test should not visit the Emergency Department and should instead contact their primary care office or seek alternative testing options.
To find a COVID-19 testing location closest to you, please visit NCDHHS’ Community Access Points website at www.covid19.ncdhhs.gov/FindTests.
Greenville, NC – March 14, 2022 – As Vidant continues to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic across North Carolina, we are taking steps to ensure the safety of all. Vidant remains vigilant with its screening process for all visitors, entry requirements and visitor restrictions by department.
In response to decreased community spread, Vidant is carefully expanding visitation across the system, including for COVID-positive patients. Effective 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, Vidant will adopt the below visitor guidelines. Visitors must wear surgical masks provided at screening stations or personal N95/KN95 masks as long as they are clean, intact, without a valve and have no visible gaps.
Despite the encouraging trend of cases, it remains vitally important for community members to continue to practicing safety measures such as washing hands, wearing a mask and avoiding large gatherings.
For the latest information on Vidant’s visitor restrictions, please visit VidantHealth.com/VisitingVidant.
This is an evolving situation, and Vidant continues to monitor the spread and examine local data, including COVID-19 cases in our region and in hospitals, and will adjust visitation restrictions accordingly.
Vidant strongly encourages visitors to consider virtual visitation options such as FaceTime and phone calls. Assistance with virtual visits, including iPads for patients without the necessary technology, is available on request. Virtual visitation is the safest way to stay connected with a loved one.
Patients should limit their belongings to a few key items and refer to the below tips:
- Bring your phone, tablet or other electronic device to connect with family members
- Limit clothing to clean undergarments and one outfit for discharge
- Wear or pack non-slip shoes
For the latest information on Vidant’s visitor restrictions, please visit VidantHealth.com/VisitingVidant.
Greenville, NC – March 1, 2022 – As Vidant Health continues to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic across North Carolina, we are taking steps to ensure the safety of all. Vidant remains vigilant with its screening process for all visitors, entry requirements and visitor restrictions by department.
In response to decreased community spread, Vidant is carefully expanding visitation in most clinical areas across the system, including for COVID-positive patients. Effective 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, Vidant will adopt the below screening process, entry requirements and visitor guidelines. Visitors must wear surgical masks provided at screening stations or personal N95/KN95 masks as long as they are clean, intact, without a valve and have no visible gaps.
Despite the encouraging trend of cases, it remains vitally important for community members to continue to practicing safety measures such as washing hands, wearing a mask and avoiding large gatherings.
For the latest information on Vidant’s visitor restrictions, please visit VidantHealth.com/VisitingVidant.
This is an evolving situation, and Vidant continues to monitor the spread and examine local data, including COVID-19 cases in our region and in hospitals, and will adjust visitation restrictions accordingly.
Vidant strongly encourages visitors to consider virtual visitation options such as FaceTime and phone calls. Assistance with virtual visits, including iPads for patients without the necessary technology, is available on request. Virtual visitation is the safest way to stay connected with a loved one.
Patients should limit their belongings to a few key items and refer to the below tips:
- Bring your phone, tablet or other electronic device to connect with family members
- Limit clothing to clean undergarments and one outfit for discharge
- Wear or pack non-slip shoes
As eastern North Carolina continues to see rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations driven by the Omicron variant, the COVID-19 vaccine is the most simple and effective tool we have to help stop the spread, slow further mutations and save lives.
Since Dec. 1, Vidant Health has seen a 340% increase in the weekly average of COVID positivity rate (7.3% on Dec. 1, 32.1% on Jan. 3) in our region. We have also experienced a 183% increase in the total number of COVID-positive inpatients (Dec. 1: 52; Jan. 3: 147) across our hospitals during this time, with the vast majority of these individuals being unvaccinated. As of Jan. 4, the Omicron variant has contributed to almost all of our total variants detected a number that has increased exponentially each week.
The continued spread of the virus and the arrival of new variants is an urgent reminder that this pandemic is not over yet. Right now, the Omicron variant is quickly becoming the dominant virus variant across the nation, and we know that this variant is highly infectious. One of the fundamental principles of this pandemic is that unvaccinated individuals have higher risk of severe disease and infection.
Dr. T. Ryan Gallaher
As has been the case with any variant, vaccination is highly effective at preventing the spread and reducing the severity of symptoms of those with breakthrough cases. If you have not had your booster or third dose of the vaccine, recent analysis of blood samples comparing boosted and non-boosted samples shows the extra dose is important to ensure better protection against the Omicron variant.
Additionally, we can have more confidence than ever regarding the safety of mRNA vaccines, even in children 5 and older. Vaccines for school-aged children are not new, and the COVID-19 vaccine should be part of that routine.
Recent data from October has shown unvaccinated individuals have five times higher risk of testing positive for COVID-19 and 14 times higher risk of death from COVID-19. Even more recent data from the Omicron surge in UK and South Africa has shown vaccine efficacy increases from 35% to 75% when a booster is given. After billions have been vaccinated around the world, it still holds true that the risks of COVID-19 far outweigh any risks of the vaccine. More studies have further shown mRNA vaccines do not affect fertility or be linked to any adverse pregnancy outcomes and, thus, continue to be safe and effective.
The longer you wait to vaccinate, the more likely you are to get the virus. Vaccination and boosters still largely protects from the Omicron variant, but we may not have that luxury if the virus continues to rapidly spread and mutate. Reports of adverse effects from the vaccines are rare, and you have a much higher chance of suffering critical outcomes from the virus as opposed to the vaccine.
Vidant Health offers vaccinations for anyone ages 5 and older. Additionally, Vidant Health is now administering boosters for those who are eligible. To receive your COVID-19 vaccine or booster, visit VidantHealth.com/Vaccine or call 252-847-8000.
Greenville, NC – Dec. 30, 2021 – As Vidant Health continues to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing spread of the Omicron variant, we are taking steps to ensure the safety of all. Vidant remains focused on efforts to offer COVID-19 testing to the community. The following are the special operating hours for the Greenville COVID testing site. Please note, wait times may be longer than usual due to high demand for COVID-19 tests.
Greenville COVID Testing Site Hours of Operation for New Year’s Weekend:
Friday, Dec. 31 — Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 — Closed
Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022 — Closed
The Greenville COVID Testing Site, located at the corner of Stantonsburg Road and Wellness Center Drive, offers preregistration as well. Those who have preregistered will have access to a separate lane at the testing site, with much of the required paperwork completed in advance.
To preregister, login or sign up for MyChart at mychart.vidanthealth.com, and follow the prompts to register. You must complete eCheck-In to finish scheduling your COVID-19 testing preregistration. Once you have completed eCheck-In, you will receive a barcode which you will need to have when you arrive at the testing site to be directed to the preregistration line. Appointments are available for up to one day in advance and you can only preregister yourself.
In addition to the Greenville COVID Testing Site, there are 13 Vidant locations across the East offering COVID-19 tests by preregistration. For a full list of these sites, visit vidanthealth.com and the link: https://www.ecuhealth.org/covid-19/covid-19-testing-sites/#regional-testing-sites
Media contact:
Stan Cleiland, Vidant Public Relations, 252-351-5602 or [email protected]
COVID-19 testing is covered through the CARES Act and currently there are no out-of-pocket costs to the public. Insurance is not needed for a COVID-19 test at the Greenville site, however, health care organizations must collect and submit insurance information for patients that have it, per the CARES Act.
About Vidant Health
Vidant Health is a mission-driven, 1,708-bed academic health system that annually serves a region of more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is made up of more than 13,000 team members, eight hospitals, home health, hospice, wellness centers, and ECU Health Physicians, a multi-specialty physician and provider group with more than 500 providers in more than 100 practice sites in eastern North Carolina. Vidant is affiliated with The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. As a major resource for health services and education, Vidant’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. For more information, visit VidantHealth.com.
Greenville, NC – Dec. 29, 2021 – As Vidant Health continues to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing spread of the Omicron variant, we are taking steps to ensure the safety of all. In consultation with infectious disease experts and based on current trends, Vidant is proactively updating visitor guidelines for the health system and adjusting the reopening of the Wellness Center – Greenville.
Vidant continues to strongly encourage masking, vaccinations and boosters, as we all work together to combat COVID-19.
Visitor Guidelines
Effective 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 30, Vidant will update its visitor guidelines across the system, including restricted visitation and a new requirement that all visitors wear a hospital-issued mask. Cloth masks will no longer be permitted. Visitors should also be mindful of Vidant’s new screening process and are encouraged to visit VidantHealth.com/checkin to register prior to their visit.
This is an evolving situation and Vidant continues to monitor the spread and examine local data, including COVID-19 cases in our region and in hospitals, and will adjust visitation restrictions accordingly.
For the latest information on Vidant’s visitor restrictions, please visit VidantHealth.com/VisitingVidant.
Wellness Center – Greenville
Originally scheduled to fully reopen on Jan. 1, the Greenville Wellness Center will open with limited services only starting on Jan. 1, such as personal training, private lessons, fitness orientations and tours. The fitness center, indoor track and pool will remain closed for general membership for the time being. Community members signed up to become members of the Greenville Wellness Center will receive additional details directly from the Wellness Center.
Vidant leadership, with guidance from our infectious disease experts, will continue to review the COVID data and spread throughout the coming weeks to determine a date for a full reopening.
The Wellness Centers in Ahoskie and Washington will continue their current operations.
All Vidant Wellness facilities will follow stringent COVID protocols for the safety of all including required masking for all members, visitors and staff, effective Dec. 29.
For more information, please visit https://www.ecuhealth.org/services/wellness-prevention/vidant-wellness-centers/#covid-19-update
One year ago, the ECU Health Medical Center (VMC) Pharmacy team distributed the first rounds of the COVID-19 vaccine to hospitals and clinics throughout our region. The VMC Pharmacy team serves as one of 11 vaccine distribution hubs – and the primary hub for eastern North Carolina – designated by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). These 11 hubs provide vital access to the vaccine across regions and serve as one point of distribution during periods of short supply.
Since December 2020, the VMC Pharmacy has distributed over 240,000 doses of Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen (J&J) vaccines throughout the region, which includes over 100,000 doses to 65 different providers. Distribution of the vaccine ranges from local area medical offices to health departments in New Hanover to Halifax counties. The team also provides vaccines to communities as far away as Ocracoke Island. Assistant Pharmacy Director Andy Grimone explained, “To get nearly 250,000 doses of vaccine and supplies to where they need to be takes a tremendous amount of teamwork and logistics. This team knew the importance of this project and never looked back.”
Vaccine distribution requires coordination starting in the Pharmacy’s storeroom. The team packs and ships the vaccine under strict temperature monitored conditions and repackages supplies (such as needles, syringes, diluent, vaccine cards, etc.) in specific shipment quantities.
Transferred vaccine quantities range from one to 200 vials at a time to meet the needs of individual providers (i.e. small physician practices to mass vaccine clinics). In addition, each transferred vial has to be logged and approved by the NCDHHS via the COVID Vaccine Management System (CVMS) to track vaccine inventory.
The VMC Pharmacy team also helps to coordinate vaccine shipments to VMG clinics, Vidant’s Occupational Health departments, Home Health and third-party partners across the region. Not surprising, the largest clinic supported by the Pharmacy team’s vaccine efforts was the Vidant/Pitt County Large-Scale Vaccine Clinic at the Greenville Convention Center – where more than 80,000 doses were administered between January and April 2021. This site required daily, diligent management and transportation of the vaccine, which could not have been accomplished without the help of Vidant couriers. The Vidant couriers have been critical in assisting with the successful distribution of vaccines to various locations across the system for the past year.
Thank you to entire VMC Pharmacy team for helping provide doses of hope to our communities!
For nearly two years, Vidant Health and Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University team members have demonstrated their resiliency and dedication to the patients and communities we serve throughout eastern North Carolina.
Vidant is proud to announce Dr. Nupur Sharma, senior resident physician in pathology in the Brody School of Medicine and Vidant, was awarded the David C. Leach Award from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
The Leach Award recognizes residents and fellows who have fostered innovation and improvement in their programs, advanced humanism in medicine and increased efficiency and emphasis on educational outcomes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Sharma has adapted and innovated to help her colleagues continue to learn. While the pandemic limited clinical interactions for medical students and residents, Dr. Sharma began an online reading group with nearly 100 participants for other residents on hematopathology, the study of diseases of the cells that make up the blood.
Based on notes from these group discussions, Dr. Sharma and her colleague Dr. Akanksha Gupta, a hematopathology fellow from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, co-authored a board-review book.
“The most important mission at ECU is to provide high-quality education to its students,” Dr. Sharma said. “We use innovative learning strategies and delivery methods to maximize access. Now, residents can access these modules anywhere, anytime, making learning flexible. My work in the form of this comprehensive curriculum and an easy-to-read, board-review book reflects that mission and provides students with an innovative approach to learning.”
Dr. Sharma will be honored during the virtual 2022 ACGME Annual Education Conference being held March 30 through April 1, 2022.
Dr. Sharma’s efforts to support her colleagues and fellow physicians is an example of the dedication Vidant team members continue to display in the care they provide in the midst of enduring an ongoing pandemic.
“I hope that my journey motivates students to see opportunity in adversity,” she said. “The idea is to find creative solutions to challenges in education. I hope medical students will find my story inspiring and consider it as a career choice.”
The David C. Leach Award was created in 2008 to honor Leach, the former executive director of the ACGME (1997-2007), and his contributions to resident education and physician well-being. This award acknowledges and honors residents, fellows, and resident/fellow teams and their contributions to graduate medical education.
Dr. Sharma’s innovative leadership is an example of how Vidant and ECU work together to meet the combined mission to improve the health of eastern North Carolina. Through high-quality, mission-focused initiatives, Vidant and ECU are building upon the shared vision of creating the national model for rural health care.
Dr. Philip Boyer recommended Sharma for the award alongside Dr. Ann Sutton, clinical associate professor in pathology and Sharma’s mentor.
“Dr. Sharma has made truly exceptional contributions to curriculum development and teaching with an impact both locally in Greenville and nationally and internationally,” Dr. Boyer said. “She is developing skill sets that will serve her well as a fellow and as an academic pathologist.”
Please join us in thanking Dr. Sharma for her innovative work and all health care heroes for their lasting legacy as leaders in our communities.
Greenville, N.C. – Nov. 02, 2021 – Eligible community members who received their first two Pfizer-BioNTech (also known as Comirnaty) or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses at least 6 months ago, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago can now schedule a COVID-19 booster shot appointment through Vidant Health by visiting VidantHealth.com/Vaccinate or calling 252-847-8000.
Vidant is offering booster shots to eligible community members in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) guidelines. Appointments can be scheduled at Vidant clinics throughout the region.
BOOSTER SHOTS FOR PFIZER & MODERNA VACCINE RECIPIENTS
Community members who initially received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine must wait at least 6 months since their second dose and meet at least one of the below criteria:
- 65 or older
- 18 or older and live in a long-term care facility
- 18 or older, have a medical condition that puts you at high risk for severe COVID-19, and believe the benefit of receiving a booster outweighs the risk of receiving the booster.
- 18 or older, have higher risk of exposure due to work or living situations, and believe the benefit of receiving a booster outweighs the risk of receiving the booster.
BOOSTER SHOTS FOR JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE RECIPIENTS
Community members who initially received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine must be 18 or older and wait at least 2 months from their initial dose.
Studies show that after being vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus may decrease over time and provide less protection against the Delta variant. A booster shot may help increase immune response and improve protection against COVID-19, including the Delta variant.
There are now booster recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all three available COVID-19 vaccines. Individuals can receive any brand of the COVID-19 vaccine for their booster shot, regardless of which brand they received initially.
THIRD DOSE FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED – PFIZER AND MODERNA ONLY
In addition to the new booster shot eligibility, Vidant previously announced it is closely following CDC guidance to provide third doses to eligible immunocompromised community members. A third dose may prevent serious and possibly life-threatening complications of COVID-19 in immunocompromised people who may not have responded to their initial vaccine series.
Appointments can be scheduled at Vidant clinics and oncology practices throughout the region for community members who meet the below criteria:
- You have had an organ or stem cell transplant.
- You are receiving chemotherapy, other treatment for cancer or tumors, taking biologic agents (Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, etc.), taking high doses of prednisone, or taking similar drugs. Many of these drugs are used for treatment of cancer, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriasis.
- You have a disease that weakens your immune system (like HIV or a primary immune system disease).
- Your doctor told you that you are immunosuppressed.
The third dose is recommended for immunocompromised individuals at least 28 days after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and is not recommended for those who received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is also identified by its new brand name Comirnaty.
Please continue checking back to VidantHealth.com/Vaccinate for the latest information on Vidant’s vaccine efforts.