COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on May 25
Click here for updates for May 26.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Death toll tops 13,000
At least 998,701 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 13,004 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 525 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, down from 581 on Monday.
Seventeen additional coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday. Deaths don’t necessarily all occur on the day the state reports them. The state health department revises its daily figures as information becomes available.
At least 699 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Tuesday, up from 691 the day before.
As of Sunday, the latest day for which data is available, 4.2% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
More than 52% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine and 48.1% are fully vaccinated, according to the state health department.
Some NC restaurants opening dining rooms for first time in months
More than a year after the coronavirus pandemic upended the restaurant industry, some North Carolina eateries are starting to welcome back customers to their dining rooms.
At this time last year, restaurants were able to serve guests inside for the first time since COVID-19 hit the state. But there were some holdouts that continued to focus on takeout and outdoor dining in the months that followed.
Now as people get vaccinated against the coronavirus, some staples and new restaurants in the Triangle are letting people eat inside, The News & Observer reported Tuesday.
Vaccine clinic to be offered at Coca-Cola 600
Walmart is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic this weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Fans going to NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 can get their shots in the three days leading up to Sunday night’s race.
The first-dose Pfizer vaccines will be available at no cost to people ages 12 and older through partnerships with Spire Motorsports and Stringer Performance, The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday.
Charlotte Motor Speedway is set to hold the Coca-Cola 600 at full capacity. The venue can hold 95,000 people and urges unvaccinated fans to wear masks, even though they won’t be required outside.
Cooper announces $51 million in COVID school aid
Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday he will use the bulk of $51.4 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to help students go to college.
At least $44 million will be used for two new programs designed to help students attend and complete college, The News & Observer reported. Another $5 million is slated for expanding mental health resources in the UNC System and $2.4 million will be used to support “equity-funded initiatives” in K-12 and higher education.
The money will come from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund, which was given to governors to help schools address the pandemic’s impact.
“Students and educators across our state have faced challenges both inside and outside the classroom over the course of the pandemic,” Cooper said.
COVID vaccine drivers can earn extra cash
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is offering $25 to people who drive friends and loved ones to one of five vaccine clinics in the Charlotte area.
Those getting their first shot can also get the “Summer Cash Card” to help defray transportation costs, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“As long as everyone just stays calm, we should have enough (cards) for everyone, including drivers,” StarMed tweeted Monday afternoon. “Whatever you do, don’t panic and rush out so that we have enough $25 gift cards for everyone without any shortages.”
The offer runs from May 26 to June 8.
Some high schools change graduation plans
A few high schools in the Triangle have updated their graduation plans after Gov. Roy Cooper lifted the mask mandate and capacity restrictions.
The changes mean some schools are giving their seniors more graduation tickets and no longer requiring face masks during the ceremonies, The News & Observer reported.
“There are no limits to the number of attendees at indoor or outdoor venues,” Caitlin Furr, a Johnston County schools spokeswoman, said. “We will not require masks at our outdoor graduation ceremonies per the governor’s Executive Order.”
High schools in the Wake County school system have until the end of the week to make any changes, with principals meeting last week to discuss the new guidelines. Durham Public Schools have said they won’t increase the number of people allowed to attend graduation ceremonies.
Busy holiday weekend expected at RDU, Charlotte airports
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is seeing terminals and parking start to fill up after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down some airport stores and visitor lots.
As travel rebounds, RDU starting this week expects to welcome drivers back to its Economy 3 parking lot.
“Based on recent passenger parking trends, unless Economy 3 is reopened fairly soon, we run the risk of potentially not having adequate parking capacity to meet demand,” said David Freedman, the airport’s chief finance officer. “And it’s definitely a situation we want to avoid.”
The airport is also expecting 221,000 travelers around Memorial Day, which could be its busiest time since the start of the pandemic.
Across the state, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is also expecting big passenger counts during the holiday weekend.
Data from March, the most recent month available, show 1.6 million travelers went on planes from CLT. That’s up from March 2020 but down from January 2020, which was before North Carolina reported its first coronavirus case.
This story was originally published May 25, 2021 at 7:26 AM.
