COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on April 29
Click here for updates for April 30.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Case count reaches 967,000
At least 967,521 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 12,631 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 1,985 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, up from 1,765 the day before.
Twenty-three additional 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.
Health officials reported 1,137 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Thursday, up from 1,114 reported on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the latest day for which data is available, 4.5% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials have said 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Nearly half of adults in North Carolina, or 49%, have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. At least 40% are now fully vaccinated.
Cocktails-to-go still allowed in NC
Restaurants and bars will still be allowed to sell to-go cocktails in May.
Gov. Roy Cooper extended an executive order on mixed drinks to June 1, allowing the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission to issue business permits for delivery or take-out on mixed-beverages, The News & Observer reported.
The extension accompanied his executive order on Wednesday relaxing more restrictions in the state.
Herd immunity looks ‘further away’ in Charlotte
Charlotte is still behind on reaching herd immunity with about 40% of the county population fully vaccinated as of Thursday.
The threshold for local herd immunity could range between 65% and 85%, The Charlotte Observer reported. Mecklenburg Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said vaccine demand in Mecklenburg County has gone down recently.
Dr. Lewis McCurdy, specialty director of infectious diseases at Atrium Health, said during a briefing Thursday that herd immunity “seems further and further away” given the diminished demand.
“I do think herd immunity is the best way for us as a larger community to collectively get out of this pandemic sooner rather than later,” McCurdy said. “It’s a reason for people to continue to get vaccinated so we can try to reach that number.”
NC providers work to keep vaccine doses from being wasted
Health providers in the Charlotte area are tracking down people who want to get COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to make sure no doses get thrown out.
“I have a very strict policy,” said Dr. Arin Piramzadian, chief medical officer for StarMed.“It doesn’t matter how late we have to stay — we will get that dose to anybody. No dose gets wasted.”
Dr. Meg Sullivan, medical director for Mecklenburg County, said public health officials have used all doses, despite the challenges of determining how many shots are needed for some vaccine clinics.
When doses are left over, providers have turned to social media and gone into businesses to find people who are willing to get vaccinated, The Charlotte Observer reported Thursday.
Health officials say the Pfizer vaccine can stay roughly six hours at room temperature, and pierced vials of the Moderna vaccine should only be kept for about 12 hours.
Cooper drops mask mandate outdoors
Gov. Roy Cooper issued a new executive order on Wednesday further easing COVID-19 restrictions in the state.
Under the new order that goes into effect on Friday, North Carolinians don’t have to wear masks outdoors and the number of people allowed to gather will double to 100 people indoors and 200 outdoors, The News & Observer reported.
“We’re grateful that North Carolina continues to hold steady when it comes to our COVID-19 metrics. But while our numbers remain stable, we’re not seeing the decline in metrics that we’d like to see,” Cooper said. “This tells us that the pandemic is not over.”
Restaurants and businesses in the Charlotte area said the restrictions have become “the new normal,” The Charlotte Observer reported.
“People are used to being separated from each other, whether when eating in a restaurant or standing in a line,” said Joel Jose, owner of Joel’s Asian Grill & Sushi in Mooresville. “It’s the new normal now.”
Two sports governing bodies, the N.C. High School Athletic Association and the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association, have said they plan to follow the new guidance. That means high school athletes starting Friday can take their masks off while outside playing sports, The Charlotte Observer reported.
NC experts urge not skipping vaccine doses
Some Charlotte area health care systems are seeing people skip their second doses of COVID-19 vaccines that require two shots.
“While one dose of the vaccine is good to have, I want to stress the importance of getting your second dose to ensure you get full protection, and that we can get toward that herd immunity threshold,” said Dr. David Priest, an infectious disease expert at Novant Health.
Dr. Katie Passaretti of Atrium Health also urged people to finish their vaccine doses so that COVID-19 metrics don’t fall, The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday.
Charlotte providers launch mobile vaccination push, more appointments
A Charlotte provider has started an effort to bring COVID-19 vaccines to parts of the region where poverty is high.
Novant Health is first turning its focus to serving “ZIP codes that are typically underrepresented in health care,” The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday.
Though mobile vaccination began in February, a new push brings the shots to Lowe’s and other retailers, according to Ylida Roberson, director of community engagement operations for Novant Health.
Meanwhile, Tryon Medical Partners is officially allowing adults to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments at its Ballantyne site. People must sign up online to get slots on Wednesdays and Thursday evenings.
The efforts come as 23.8% of people who live in Mecklenburg County are fully vaccinated. That’s below the statewide rate of 30.5%, data shows.
NC colleges planning for graduation during COVID
Many colleges and universities in North Carolina are aiming to have in-person graduation ceremonies this spring — but the coronavirus pandemic could change their plans.
Several schools are hosting outdoor events with social distancing and mask requirements to help stop the spread of COVID-19, The News & Observer reported Wednesday. Virtual options are also available for students and guests who can’t attend in person.
Here’s a list of what colleges across the state are doing for commencement.
This story was originally published April 29, 2021 at 8:34 AM.
