KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. (AP) - Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen visited the Youth Center at Family Recreation Park in Kill Devil Hills on Friday and witnessed a Dare County coronavirus vaccination clinic.
Dare County Health Director Sheila Davies, Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert L. Woodard and other county commissioners greeted the governor during his visit. The county’s Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson directed those arriving for vaccination to the appropriate table.
On Friday, the operation was expected to vaccinate 900 people. The facility and the system are able to vaccinate up to 1,600 people a day.
The partnership between Dare County Department of Health and Human Services and the county’s emergency management department was evident in the Dare clinic, which was a first- and second-dose clinic.
The governor toured the setup and experienced what Dare County residents have been raving about: courteous, smiling health professionals, easy to follow instructions and speedy delivery.
As Cooper made his way through the stations, he received compliments and requests for pictures. Christina Posko, a registered nurse with the county, said “I’m so proud of the vaccination effort in our state.”
At one point during the tour, Cooper said that North Carolina had vaccinated over 70% of people 65 years of age and older. Health director Davies commented Dare County had vaccinated 91%.
“Dare County is leading the way,” said Cohen during media conference following the tour. In Dare County, almost half have received one dose of vaccine, said Cohen. The state’s dashboard reports 47.6% in Dare County and 45.6% in North Carolina have had first doses.
Said Cohen, “Dare County is the best and highest county in North Carolina.”
Davies thanked the governor for the visit and his extraordinary leadership during the pandemic.
Both Cooper and Cohen continued to stress the seriousness of the disease.
“We have to remember, though for a few more months, that we have to continue to look after each other,” said Cooper.
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