COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on May 18
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We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 992,000
At least 992,578 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,911 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 622 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, down from 688 on Monday.
Twenty 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.
At least 820 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Tuesday, slightly down from 821 reported the day before.
As of Sunday, the latest day for which data is available, 5% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 51% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine and 46.6% are fully vaccinated, according to the state health department.
Changes to mask rules impact some graduation ceremonies
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools hasn’t changed its plan for upcoming graduation ceremonies since Gov. Roy Cooper lifted the statewide mask mandate and eased restrictions on crowd sizes.
But other school districts have updated their plans, and at least one is still deciding, The Charlotte Observer reported.
CMS is limiting guests, requiring face coverings, keeping social distancing measures in place and restricting the capacity at each venue. Mooresville Graded School District, meanwhile, has switched back to its traditional graduation ceremony. Cabarrus said it won’t be changing any plans while Iredell-Statesville lifted capacity limits.
Union County Schools hasn’t made a decision yet.
Carowinds readies to reopen
Some safety measures will remain in place when Carowinds reopens on Saturday, despite a new easing restrictions in the state.
A park spokesperson told The Charlotte Observers that officials and parent company Cedar Fair in Ohio are reviewing the new safety protocols and that “things are fluid.”
But for the time being, fans still need a reservation to enter the amusement park. Guests will also be given a health screening and masks will be required anywhere indoors. Some rides where people can’t socially distance will remain closed.
Cooper says keeping mask mandate for unvaccinated people not feasible
Gov. Roy Cooper hosted an outdoor, in-person bill signing Monday in which he answered questions about the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina.
Cooper lifted the statewide mask mandate last week following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He told reporters Monday the CDC’s decision was “rather sudden” but backed by research, The News & Observer reported.
“When the CDC did that, then when you have state governors who are in charge of mandatory enforcement of violations, it makes it difficult to say that everybody should have a mask or that they have some rule under law that only people who are unvaccinated have to wear a mask,” he said. “That just was not feasible.”
He also said unvaccinated people should continue wearing masks and reminded everyone that face coverings are still required at schools, hospitals, prisons, child care centers, homeless shelters and on public transit.
Duke working on vaccine to prevent future coronavirus pandemics
Researchers at Duke University are developing a vaccine that would protect against multiple strains of coronaviruses.
The vaccine was developed at Duke’s Human Vaccine Institute and shows the immune system 24 copies of a specific part of the virus’ spike protein that attaches to the human cells, The News & Observer reported. Another substance then helps create antibodies that attack that part of the virus.
Dr. Kevin Saunders, the Human Vaccine Institute’s director of research, said it’s similar to Velcro.
“So if you think of one hook and loop, that’s a pretty weak interaction. But if you can put one hook and loop together multiple times in multiple copies, that becomes a really strong interaction,” Saunders said.
Researchers tested the vaccine on macaque monkeys and found it “provides total protection against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19,” according to The N&O.
This story was originally published May 18, 2021 at 7:49 AM.
