COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in NC on March 2
Click here for updates for March 3.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 863,000
At least 863,409 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 11,288 have died since March, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday reported 1,239 new COVID-19 cases, down from 1,466 reported the day before. It’s the fewest number of new cases reported in a single day since October 19.
Thirty-four coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday. 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 1,353 people in North Carolina were reported hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Tuesday, a slight increase from 1,319 the day before.
As of Sunday, the latest day for which data are available, 5.7% of COVID-19 tests came back positive. Health officials have said 5% is the target rate to control the spread of the virus.
More than 2.5 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered in North Carolina.
Front-line essential workers eligible for vaccine
Front-line essential workers — including grocery store workers, public transit drivers and emergency personnel — will be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine a week ahead of schedule, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday.
The state will then move into Group 4 on March 24, starting with people with high-risk underlying conditions, The News & Observer reported.
“Given the current rate of vaccination and increased supply, many front line workers say they can move to the next phase of vaccinations,” Cooper said during a news conference
Teachers and school support staff have been able to get the vaccine since Feb. 24. The remaining front-line workers classified under Group 3 will be eligible beginning March 3.
Wake will let more fans attend sports events
Wake County Schools will let more fans attend high school sports events after the governor eased up on capacity restrictions last week.
Under Gov. Roy Cooper’s order, venues are allowed to operate at 30% capacity. But Wake said some events might not reach that capacity given the need for social distancing, and all indoor events will be capped at 250 fans, The News & Observer reported.
More than just immediate family members will also be allowed at games; temperature checks will be required at indoor events; fans will be required to screen themselves before entering outdoor events; and all spectators must leave within five minutes of the end of the event.
Spectrum center reopens for fans
The Charlotte Hornets got permission Tuesday to host about 3,000 fans at the Spectrum Center for the remaining 19 regular-season home games.
The next home game is March 13 against the Toronto Raptors, the Charlotte Observer reported. Fans with season tickets will get first dibs on seats before they go on sale to the general public starting Friday at 10 a.m.
Chapel Hill warns against Franklin Street celebration if UNC beats Duke
The town of Chapel Hill said UNC fans should not rush Franklin Street if their team beats Duke this weekend.
Chapel Hill is urging people to keep safety in mind while watching the men’s basketball game scheduled for Saturday. The town is also teaming up with UNC to determine how it would respond to game-related activities or celebrations during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said in a news release.
Last month, about 1,000 people stormed onto Franklin Street after UNC beat longtime rival Duke.
“The Governor’s decision to stick to 50 people outdoors while loosening other restrictions should be a clear message about its importance,” said Kelly Drayton, emergency management coordinator for the town. “We must adhere to these public health guidelines to continue this important battle we’ve all been in for nearly a year.”
More vaccine slots to open in Charlotte area
Mecklenburg County is offering new vaccine appointment openings for an expanded group.
Frontline essential workers such as first responders and college staffers are among those eligible to start signing up as part of Group 3 of the state’s vaccine plan.
The openings will be available to those workers and other eligible groups beginning 8:30 a.m. Thursday, The Charlotte Observer reported. The appointments run March 10 to March 31.
Appointments can be made online at https://starmed.care/ or by phone at 980-314-9400.
State Senate fails to override school reopening veto
An effort to mandate that North Carolina public school districts provide some face-to-face instruction ended when the state Senate on Monday failed to override a veto.
Monday’s vote was 29-20, nearly hitting the supermajority needed for an override. That means the bill’s life is over, and it won’t reach the House.
Gov. Roy Cooper had vetoed Senate Bill 37 last week and said the proposal strayed away from health guidance the state has for schools during the coronavirus pandemic, the News & Observer reported.
The bill called for requiring the Plan A in-person learning option for K-12 students who have special needs. Under the proposal, districts also would have had to decide between Plan A and Plan B, a mix of on-campus and remote classes.
Test results show students aren’t doing as well as during pandemic
Test results from this school year show North Carolina students are doing worse than they were before the pandemic.
Statewide, three-quarters of third graders aren’t proficient in reading, according to data that is expected to be shared at a State Board of Education meeting on Wednesday.
Also, most high school students didn’t pass end-of-course exams in the fall. But the N.C. Department of Public Instruction said students can take exams until July 5, so data from last fall isn’t comparable to the prior year, The News & Observer reported.
Last week, the state House passed a bill that calls for requiring school systems to offer summer programs for children falling behind during the coronavirus pandemic.
“There’s a lot of those at-risk children who desperately need this who, if we don’t do something, are going to fall further and further behind,” said House Speaker Tim Moore, one of the bill’s sponsors.
NC residents could soon get Johnson & Johnson vaccines
North Carolinians could soon have another COVID-19 vaccine option.
Doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be shipped to the state as early as this week, The News & Observer reported Sunday.
The Food and Drug Administration recently gave emergency use authorization for the vaccine, which is administered in a single dose and reportedly has 66% efficacy in stopping mild to moderate COVID-19 cases.
Other vaccines available in North Carolina and throughout the country have higher efficacy but require two doses.
This story was originally published March 2, 2021 at 7:18 AM.
