Health director: 80% of Henderson County population needs to be vaccinated for herd immunity
Henderson County has a long way to go before achieving herd immunity against COVID-19.
To achieve that mark, 80% of the population needs to be vaccinated, Health Director Steve Smith said at Tuesday’s Board of Health meeting.
As of Tuesday, 28% of the county’s population was at least partially vaccinated, with another 22.5% fully vaccinated, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Herd immunity, also known as population immunity, is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection, according to the World Health Organization.
Olsen is running for the District 1 seat on council, which is currently held by Sheila Franklin.
Olsen has lived in Fletcher for 15 years, moving to the town from the Chicago suburbs in 2005.
Olsen and his wife, Holly, have three children, Natalie, Hunter and Claire. When Olsen came to Fletcher, he continued a career in manufacturing at Plastic Injection Molding at Nypro (now Jabil) in Arden. He later enrolled at Blue Ridge Community College where he developed a passion for economics.
After completing a degree at University of North Carolina Asheville, Olsen entered the private sector with a new career in renewable energy with a solar development firm, according to Olsen’s campaign website.
Henderson County finalizes purchase of VFW building in Hendersonville
The county is now the official owner of the VFW building on North Main Street in Hendersonville.
The sale closed Thursday, April 1, Chairman of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners Bill Lapsley announced at Monday’s meeting.
Commissioners were approached last year about purchasing the property at 900 N. Main St., the Hedrick-Rhodes post of the Veterans of Foreign War. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the local VFW hard, leaving it without its normal revenue sources from public fundraising events.
Clark-Nexsen previously presented possible renovation costs to the board. Total recommended improvements total close to $4 million.
All Henderson County adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccine starting this week
All adults in Henderson County are eligible for an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting this week.
The Henderson County Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccine eligibility is open to everyone 16 and older this week alongside the launch of an online appointment scheduling system.
Beginning this week, individuals will be able to schedule their own vaccine appointment online through the health department, according to a news release.
Dates and times will be posted by noon each Tuesday at www.hendersoncountync.gov/health. No more registering and waiting for a phone call, according to the health department.
Eggs Up Grill: New spot for breakfast, brunch & lunch opening in Hendersonville blueridgenow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from blueridgenow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.