COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Oct. 1
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
81 additional deaths reported
At least 1,400,217 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 16,605 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday reported 4,963 new COVID-19 cases, up from 4,765 on Thursday.
Eighty-one coronavirus-related deaths were added on Friday. State health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred.
At least 2,882 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday, including 795 adult patients who are being treated in intensive care units, health officials said. Before Thursday, the state hadn’t reported fewer than 3,000 daily hospitalizations since Aug. 18, The News & Observer reported.
On Wednesday, the latest date with available information, 7.9% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 69% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 64% have been fully vaccinated. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
Some state employees could get vaccine incentives
The Department of Public Safety is set to announce an incentive program to encourage employees to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
DPS has the lowest vaccination rate among the state agencies, The News & Observer reported. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, meanwhile, has the highest at 81%.
Gov. Roy Cooper said he hasn’t decided what discipline employees will face if they don’t comply with President Joe Biden’s federal vaccine guidelines, which are set to be announced soon.
“We are working hard to convince employees who have not yet verified that they have been vaccinated to do so,” Cooper said.
“It’s already resulted in getting people vaccinated who otherwise would not have,” Cooper said. “We urge all employers — state, local, private — to do this kind of thing.”
Most Charlotte business in survey agree with Biden’s vaccine mandate
Most Charlotte-area employers are in favor of President Joe Biden’s call for businesses with more than 100 workers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines, a new survey finds.
Under the new rule, companies of that size could also offer weekly testing for their workers.
Of the 84 companies that responded to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, 56% said they agreed with the mandate.
Also in the survey, 69% of businesses said Biden’s plan wouldn’t affect how soon their workers could return to offices, The Charlotte Observer reported Friday.
First-grader dies of COVID in Charlotte
A 7-year-old student has died from the coronavirus, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools told The Charlotte Observer.
The child attended Stoney Creek Elementary and was in first grade.
There have been at least two pediatric deaths from COVID-19 in Mecklenburg County in 2021, county health officials said.
Stoney Creek Elementary has reported three confirmed cases since in-person classes started Aug. 25. All of those cases were reported in early September, according to the Observer.
Face masks stay optional in one NC district
A North Carolina judge ruled Thursday that face masks can remain optional in Lincoln County Schools.
The ruling came after students and families asked to reverse a 4-3 decision by the Lincoln County Board of Education ending mask requirements and quarantine periods. Lincoln County is one of just five districts in North Carolina where masks aren’t required, The Charlotte Observer reported.
At least 13 students and their parents sued the school board over the policy, saying it violates their constitutional guarantee to a safe learning environment.
They asked for a temporary restraining order keeping masks mandatory until Oct. 12, but the judge denied it.
Wells Fargo delays return to office — again
Wells Fargo won’t return to its offices until Jan. 10, employees were told Thursday, marking the third delay to in-person work for the banking giant.
“The health and safety of our employees and customers is our priority and guides our planning,” chief operating officer Scott Powell said in the memo. “Given the current environment, we look forward to welcoming our teams back in January.”
Under the new plan, operations and contact center workers will return first, The Charlotte Observer reported. Enterprise function and line of business support employees will follow.
This story was originally published October 1, 2021 at 7:06 AM.
