City of Gaston issued the following announcement on Aug. 28.
As the Delta variant has increased the number of COVID-19 cases and the impact that has had on the healthcare system in the region, Gaston County leaders are taking new steps to ensure continuity of operations by approving a vaccine incentive for County employees.
Gaston County employees serve some of the most vulnerable residents in the community. Increasing vaccination rates among staff will help keep public safety, public health, social services, and critical infrastructure operational during the significant uptick in COVID cases.
The plan, approved Tuesday night by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, will provide $250 to any Gaston County employee who is vaccinated by October 15th. If more than 75 percent of the county’s more than 1,700 employees get the COVID-19 vaccine by October 15th, those vaccinated employees will be in line to receive an additional $250.
To date, COVID-19 has cost the County approximately $1.3 million in COVID sick time as well as for medical treatment, screening and testing for employees.
“The longer we go with a significant percentage of our employees not vaccinated, the greater risk we put ourselves in operationally,” County Manager Dr. Kim Eagle said.
Original source can be found here.
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