COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on July 8
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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 600 new cases reported
At least 1,016,892 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 13,475 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 630 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, up from 415 on Wednesday.
Fifteen additional coronavirus-related deaths were reported Thursday. Deaths don’t necessarily occur on the day the state reports them. The state health department revises its daily figures as more information becomes available.
At least 410 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Thursday, slightly down from 416 the day before.
As of Tuesday, the most recent day for which data is available, 3.4% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 56% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 53% have been fully vaccinated. State health officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
Some Wake Students return to year-round school
More than 30,000 students in Wake County returned to year-round school on Thursday, marking the largest number of students to return to in-person classes since before the coronavirus pandemic.
At least 35 Wake County public schools are year-round. When all schools return in late August, about 94% will be in-person, The News & Observer reported. That’s higher than any time since March 2020.
But students still have to wear masks indoors at school — an issue that’s been the subject of recent debate.
Lake Norman beach will stay open
Ramsey Creek Beach on Lake Norman will stay open on weekends through Labor Day after finding enough lifeguards to work.
The beach was closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and a lifeguard shortage threatened to keep it closed this summer, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Officials said Thursday the beach hours could expand “as we onboard staff.”
Mecklenburg public health director to retire
A public health official who has served the Charlotte area during the COVID-19 pandemic is planning to retire this year.
Gibbie Harris, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director, on Wednesday said she is leaving at the end of 2021.
“It’s the right time for me and my family, and I think it’s the right time for the department as well, to move into the next phase,” said Harris, who has led her department since 2017.
Harris’ successor will be Dr. Raynard Washington, the current deputy health director, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Cooper expresses concern over delta variant
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper visited a vaccination site at the Charlotte Transit Center in uptown on Wednesday, where Cooper said the delta variant may likely be the cause of a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases.
“We’re worried,” Cooper said. “We’re in a race against this delta variant. The more people we can get vaccinated, the more people we can protect from it.”
Cooper said the available vaccines protect from coronavirus variants. But Becerra said people need to get vaccinated quickly, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“This virus is constantly mutating,” Becerra said. “The more it mutates, the greater the chance that a mutated version will outwit and out-strengthen our vaccine. As the governor said, we have got to stay ahead of this.”
Hopscotch Music Festival to have in-person events
A music festival is set to bring in-person shows to North Carolina after the coronavirus pandemic forced organizers to move last year’s event online.
The Hopscotch Music Festival is planning to bring its lineup to downtown Raleigh from Sept. 9 to 11, but it won’t stick with its normal structure of having concerts indoors and outdoors, organizers said Tuesday.
“Due to the impact from COVID-19 we want to make sure that everyone feels safe, and is safe, so for the first time ever we will be presenting Hopscotch 2021 with a more traditional festival layout featuring all outdoor shows for official programming with a 75% capacity,” the festival said on its website.
This story was originally published July 8, 2021 at 7:06 AM.
