COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on June 23
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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.
More than 400 new cases reported
At least 1,011,561 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 13,393 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 461 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, up from 211 on Tuesday.
Eleven additional coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Wednesday. Deaths don’t necessarily occur on the day the state reports them. The state health department revises its daily figures as information becomes available.
At least 442 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Wednesday, down from 463 the day before.
As of Monday — the latest day with available data — 2.3% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 55% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine and about 52% have been fully vaccinated. State health officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
House votes to end statewide school mask mandate
The North Carolina House passed a bill allowing local school boards to choose whether face masks will be required for the upcoming school year.
Under Senate Bill 173, school districts, charter schools and private schools can set their own mask policies, The News & Observer reported. Gov. Roy Cooper’s current mandate considers all public and private schools a high-risk setting and requires masks to be worn.
“The data is clear. The harm that we’re doing to our children from a mental health perspective is overwhelming,” said Rep. David Willis, a Union County Republican and the lawmaker who introduced the new version of SB 173 on Monday.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where an earlier version of the bill passed in March.
Biden will encourage vaccines during Raleigh visit
President Joe Biden will visit Raleigh on Thursday — his first trip to North Carolina since taking office.
The visit comes as coronavirus vaccination rates across the U.S. lag. At the current rate, North Carolina isn’t expected to meet the president’s 70% vaccination goal until November. The president’s goal was July 4.
Chris Cooper, a professor of political science at Western Carolina University, said Biden’s visit won’t have “a huge impact” on motivating people to get vaccinated.
“The kinds of people who might be swayed by a Joe Biden visit, a visit from a Democratic president, most likely have already been vaccinated,” Cooper told The News & Observer.
NC conducts first $1 million vaccine drawing
The first of four drawings for a $1 million prize was held Wednesday. But officials say it could take days to announce a winner.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has to contact the winner after determining they are eligible — which might not be until Thursday.
Winners will be contacted by phone, email or at home and have two days to respond
Hattie Gawande, senior policy and intergovernmental affairs adviser at DHHS, told The News & Observer the earliest the public could know is Thursday.
“It could take days,” Gawande said, “but we’re hoping it will be pretty quick.”
The winner will be publicly announced at SummerVaxCash.com.
Record number of students attend summer school
A record number of students across North Carolina are attending summer school to make up for lost learning during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re trying to approach learning this summer from like a camp perspective,” said Tyler Steketee, site coordinator of the summer program based at Eno Valley Elementary School in Durham. “I don’t want to say it’s more exciting, because I think we do a good job of making learning exciting during the school year.
“But it’s something different than what we traditionally do.”
The “Summer Learning Choice for NC Families” bill passed by the General Assembly requires districts to offer at least 150 hours or 30 days of in-person instruction over the summer. Though it’s geared to at-risk students, The News & Observer reported, attendance is voluntary.
Teachers were also offered incentive pay and bonuses to work the program.
Dreamville Festival returns to Raleigh
J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival will be held in Raleigh in April 2022, the North Carolina rapper announced on Twitter Tuesday.
The inaugural Dreamville Fest was planned for August 2018 but was canceled because of Hurricane Florence. The festival was ultimately rescheduled for April 2019, The News & Observer reported, and tickets were sold out.
Dreamville was postponed and then canceled during the coronavirus pandemic.
This story was originally published June 23, 2021 at 7:03 AM.
