COVID-19 vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Feb. 20
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Case count tops 840,000
At least 840,096 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 10,896 have died since March, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday reported 3,446 new COVID-19 cases, up from 3,227 reported Friday and down from 3,916 reported Thursday.
Saturday’s COVID-19 case count was “inflated” by 685 cases due to delayed reporting to the state of tests performed at UNC Health Southeastern Hospital since Dec. 30, according to state health officials. The reporting delay “did not impact patient notifications or care from UNC Health Southeastern,” according to a statement on the COVID-19 North Carolina Dashboard.
The state on Saturday reported 76 additional deaths, up from 54 deaths reported on Friday. Deaths don’t all occur on the day the state reports them. The state health department revises its daily figures as information becomes available.
At least 1,708 people in North Carolina were reported hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Saturday, down from 1,780 on Friday and 1,892 on Thursday. Friday marked the state’s lowest patient count since before Thanksgiving.
As of Saturday, 5.7% of coronavirus tests were reported positive, the same percentage as reported on Wednesday, the latest previous day for which data are available. Health officials say the percentage should be about 5% or lower to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
As of Friday, more than 1.1 million first doses and 730,000 second doses have arrived in North Carolina. About all of the first doses and 630,000 second doses have been administered.
Can mouthwash can help limit COVID-19 spread?
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill are launching a clinical trial to figure out if mouthwash can help fight against COVID-19.
While test results show mouthwashes have the potential to kill the virus that causes the disease, clinical evidence hasn’t revealed whether they can stop the virus’ transmission. In its research, Adams School of Dentistry wants to figure out if mouthwashes can limit the spread and determine which are the most effective, The News & Observer reported Friday.
“What we don’t know is how well this works in practice,” said Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, a professor in the dental school and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. “Doing this (study) will allow us to determine the efficacy and say, ‘OK, in this more rigorous study, here’s what we have found that works well.’”
Despite fewer Charlotte COVID cases, positivity rate above NC average
Although new COVID-19 cases have fallen significantly in Mecklenburg County in February, the percentage of COVID tests reported positive surpasses the state average, The Charlotte Observer reported.
COVID cases have dropped nearly in half compared with January in the county, according to state Department of Health and Human Services data.
Still, the county’s 7.8% positivity rate as of Wednesday remains higher than the state average of 5.7% reported on Saturday.
Durham students to return to in-person learning
Durham Public Schools will welcome students back into classrooms next month, reversing plans that had called for remote learning for the rest of the academic year.
School board members voted 5-2 in favor of the plan, which was discussed after a bill that would require school districts to offer face-to-face instruction passed the General Assembly.
The plan calls for elementary school students to start coming back to campuses on March 15. Students who have special needs or are in other grade levels are scheduled to come back in the days that follow.
This story was originally published February 20, 2021 at 8:12 AM.
