COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in NC on March 3
Click here for updates for March 4.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Case count tops 865,000
At least 865,554 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 11,363 have died since last March, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday reported 2,145 new COVID-19 cases, up from 1,239 reported the day before. Tuesday’s new case count was the lowest reported in a single day since Oct. 19.
Seventy-five 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 1,303 people in North Carolina were reported hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Wednesday, down from 1,343 the day before.
As of Monday, the latest day for which data are available, 6.1% 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.
Lawmakers vote for more fans at games, graduations
The North Carolina House approved a bill Wednesday that would allow high schools and colleges to fill up their stands to half capacity.
The state Senate has also passed its own bill expanding those capacity restrictions, The News & Observer reported.
House Bill 128 passed 77-42 and would allow up to 50% capacity at indoor and outdoor sporting events and graduations at UNC system schools, community colleges and the states K-12 public schools. It would also require schools allow at least 30% capacity.
The vote comes after Gov. Roy Cooper eased restrictions to allow up to 15% capacity at indoor events and 30% capacity at outdoor ones.
“This is an an issue of major concern for countless families and communities across North Carolina,” said Rep. Kyle Hall, a Stokes County Republican and a primary sponsor of the bill. “Unfortunately these arbitrary limits are not based in science and only punish our athletes and their families.”
DHHS issues new guidelines for reopening schools
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services issued new recommendations Wednesday to reopen schools as the legislature gathered to reconsider a veto override vote that would require K-12 public schools to reopen.
Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 37 last week, and the legislature failed to override his veto during a vote this week.
Democratic senators sent the state Board of Education a letter Wednesday urging them to offer some type of in-person instruction and allow local and state health officials to change the reopening plans “if warranted” — something Cooper has also requested, The News & Observer reported.
“I believe that our children need to be back in the classroom,” Cooper said. “We just need to make sure that it is done safely.”
The State Board of Education will vote on the DHHS recommendations Thursday.
NC State basketball season to end early
The N.C. State men’s basketball team will play its last regular-season game Wednesday night at Notre Dame after Virginia Tech bowed out of Saturday’s scheduled matchup at PNC Arena.
The Hokies already canceled their game against Louisville on Tuesday because of COVID-19 protocols, The News & Observer reported. Because of contact tracing protocols, the ACC announced Wednesday they also won’t be making the trip to Raleigh this weekend.
N.C. State will end its regular season having played 21 games, with eight canceled or postponed because of the coronavirus. Only one game was made up during the season.
Views differ on drop in student test scores
State schools superintendent Catherine Truitt told the state Senate Education Committee on Wednesday that falling test scores indicate more needs to be done to prepare students for in-person instruction again.
But state Department of Public Instruction staff members cautioned against comparing this year’s test scores with other years.
Their comments come after test results showed the majority of high school students didn’t pass end-of-course exams in the fall, The News & Observer reported. School districts have also reported 23% of their students are at risk of academic failure.
“It’s been a lost year of learning,” Truitt, a Republican, told the committee.
Tammy Howard, director of accountability services at DPI, said the switch from in-person instruction to online learning or a mixture of both should be celebrated as an accomplishment.
“We have to look at these tests results within that context,” she said.
Mecklenburg to get 11,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Thousands of doses of the new COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson are coming to the Charlotte area.
Mecklenburg County could receive 11,000 doses of that vaccine, Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said Tuesday. The county, Atrium Health and Novant Health are expected to get the doses.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine recently received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration and requires one shot. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have a recommended two doses but have higher efficacy rates.
Duke planning in-person graduation ceremony with no family allowed
Duke University said it is planning an in-person spring graduation ceremony for undergraduate students.
So far, family and friends won’t be allowed to attend the occasion, scheduled to be held outdoors for seniors who are part of the schools COVID-19 surveillance testing.
The plans aren’t concrete, and Duke could make changes based on health guidance, The News & Observer reported Wednesday.
“Should conditions improve, we may consider expanding the scope of the ceremony,” said Duke President Vincent Price. “On the other hand, should the situation worsen, we may be forced to make the entire event virtual.”
Last spring, many colleges and universities opted for virtual graduation ceremonies due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Raleigh allowing special events to resume
Raleigh is taking a step toward opening up during the coronavirus pandemic.
After a year of halted events, the city is allowing some festivities to resume as early as April 1. The parades, festivals and other special events will be required to follow North Carolina’s coronavirus-related guidelines, said Derek Remer, emergency management director for the city.
“With cases starting to decline, we’re optimistic that we can start allowing events that are permitted under the governor’s executive order,” Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said.
NC marks 1 year since first COVID case
North Carolina reached a grim milestone on Wednesday, marking one year since the state’s first coronavirus case was reported.
The pandemic has impacted jobs, with layoffs affecting three times as many workers compared to the average over the past three years. While unemployment has come down from springtime highs, it stands above previous years’ levels at 6%, The News & Observer reported.
During the past year, North Carolina drivers have stayed closer to home but visited state parks at record levels. Enrollment at UNC System schools stagnated after years of welcoming more students, data show.
Check out more data here about how North Carolina has changed over the past year.
Durham schools to resume in-person learning
Durham Public Schools are set to start welcoming students back to campus this month.
The district is bringing back elementary students on March 15 and middle and high school students beginning April 8, The News & Observer reported. A motion before the local school board to have all students come back April 8 failed 4-3.
Under the district’s plan, families can opt to continue virtual learning.
During the vote, one school board member called out teachers for alleged bullying during the reopening debate. Vice Chair Mike Lee said teachers have bullied him over his vote to reopen schools and alluded to his kids in making their criticisms, according to The N&O.
“Threatening families, threatening board members, attacking them for their opinion and their beliefs,” he said. “That is not organizing.”
Frontline essential workers eligible for vaccine
Frontline 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 frontline 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 frontline workers classified under Group 3 will be eligible starting Wednesday.
Wake will let more fans attend sports events
Wake County schools will let more fans attend high school sports events after the governor eased 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.
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.
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 at 10 a.m. Friday.
This story was originally published March 3, 2021 at 7:37 AM.
