COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on June 24
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 300 new cases reported
At least 1,011,955 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 13,408 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 394 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, down from 461 on Wednesday.
Fifteen additional coronavirus-related deaths were reported on Thursday. 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 429 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Thursday, down from 442 the day before.
As of Tuesday — the latest day with available data — 2.1% 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.
Biden urges more people in NC to get vaccinated
President Joe Biden pushed more people in North Carolina to get the coronavirus vaccine during a visit to Raleigh on Thursday.
He spoke to a few hundred people at the Green Road Community Center, mostly volunteers and front-line workers helping to administer the vaccine, The News & Observer reported.
“I wanted to come to Raleigh to thank everyone in this room for everything you’re doing to get your community vaccinated,” Biden said. “It matters. You’re saving lives and that’s not hyperbole.”
His 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.
Mecklenburg offers free flights as vaccine incentive
Mecklenburg County Public Health and American Airlines are offering the chance to win two round trip airfares to people who get the COVID-19 vaccine at the Summerstock Charlotte festival this weekend.
The prize is being offered at a vaccination clinic from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Camp Greene Park, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Anyone who gets a dose of the vaccine or who brings proof of a vaccine record card will be entered to win.
“Vaccines are key to beating COVID-19 and getting back to activities like visiting loved ones and traveling for leisure and business,” American Airlines senior vice president of Global Government Affairs Nate Gatten said in a statement.
COVID excuses could violate transparency laws
The school board meeting in Gaston County this week likely violated public meetings laws, two attorneys specializing in transparency laws told The Charlotte Observer.
During the meeting, board members were spaced apart and wearing masks while reporters and members of the public had to wait outside. The school board allowed just one person inside at a time, citing social distancing requirements.
The governor has allowed government bodies to conduct meetings remotely, but public attendance cannot be barred if all of the public officials attend in person, the attorneys said.
“It’s understandable that there’s going to be confusion about this,” said Beth Soja, an attorney with Stevens, Martin, Vaughn & Tadych. “The problem is going to be if and when boards are going to be informed and they don’t choose to comply.”
CDC extends eviction moratorium as NC order is set to expire
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has extended its ban on evictions meant to help renters during COVID-19.
The nationwide moratorium is now in place an extra month, going until July 31.
Gov. Roy Cooper’s statewide ban still expires June 30, though he has made past extensions in accordance with CDC changes.
Advocates have said the moratorium should be extended so people can have more time to receive assistance, The News & Observer previously reported.
International route from Charlotte resumes as airport traffic picks back up
An international airline will resume flights between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Munich, Germany, after the coronavirus pandemic forced the route to stop.
Lufthansa is set to start flying the route again next month on 293-passenger planes, The Charlotte Observer reported Thursday. The airline requires travelers wear masks on board and will allow flexible rebooking through July 31.
As more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, passengers are coming back to the airport.
In April, 1.9 million Charlotte travelers got on planes, the most recent data show. That’s up from fewer than 170,000 in April 2020.
Proposed Senate budget calls for spending billions in COVID relief
A proposed state Senate budget would distribute $5.4 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds that North Carolina receives through the American Rescue Plan.
The plan from Senate Republicans calls for spending much of the money on relief for businesses.
That includes “$1 billion for the JOBS Grant program, which was part of the Senate GOP’s tax plan, and $500 million for the Small Business Pandemic Recovery Grant program,” The News & Observer reported Thursday.
The rest of the funds would go toward essential worker bonuses, high-speed internet grants and other priorities.
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.
NC holds 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.
This story was originally published June 24, 2021 at 7:11 AM.
