Graham County continues to see high COVID-19 numbers

GRAHAM COUNTY, NC – Currently, Graham has the highest number of COVID-19 cases per 10,000 people in Western Carolina.

The number is up 7 percent from the previous week at 278 cases per 10,000. The infection rate is higher than Wake County’s and behind Mecklenburg by 0.3 percent.

A free COVID-19 testing facility has opened in the lower parking lot at Robbinsville Elementary School, 54 Moose Branch Rd. The dates are Tuesday to Saturday from October 20 to November 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, visit https://lhi.care/covidtesting or call 877.562.4850.

The testing location is also subject to change so visit the above website to confirm site details.

A third-party OptumServe is conducting the tests, not the local health department.

Anyone who qualifies for a COVID-19 test can receive a test from OptumServe, including the uninsured, underinsured, undocumented, and homeless.

Schools closed for three weeks on October 6 but will return to in-person instruction on Monday, Oct. 26.

Graham County Schools issued the following instructions online:

“Students will return on a combination of Plan A and Plan B. Grades K-6 will be in attendance on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Grades 7-12 will continue in a Cohort pattern with Cohort A attending Monday/Thursday and Cohort B attending Tuesday/Friday. Wednesdays will be REMOTE for all grades and school will dismiss at 2 pm on days students are in attendance. If your child wishes to ride the school buses (K-12) and has not until now, please contact the Bus Garage at 479-9856 to schedule their seat on the bus. Please contact individual schools for questions or further details.”