COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Oct. 9
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
85 additional deaths reported
At least 1,425,062 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 17,104 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday reported 4,078 new COVID-19 cases, up from 3,781 on Thursday.
Eighty-five coronavirus-related deaths were added. While state health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred, data show nearly one-fifth of all coronavirus-related deaths in the state occurred over the last two months, The News & Observer reported Wednesday.
At least 2,467 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday, including 676 adult patients who are being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Wednesday, the latest date with available information, 6.7% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 70% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 65% have been fully vaccinated. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
Mask mandates slow COVID in NC schools, study finds
A new study examining 20 districts and nearly 800 K-12 schools in North Carolina over the summer found mask mandates helped curb the spread of COVID-19.
All of the districts in the study had mask mandates for summer school classes, McClatchy News reported. From June to August, there were nearly 13 times more infections outside school settings than in them, researchers said.
The study was conducted by the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham and the ABC Science Collaborative.
“The findings of this study are extremely encouraging for the health and safety of students and staff attending schools where universal masking is in place,” said study co-author Dr. Kanecia Zimmerman, co-chair of the ABC Science Collaborative. “The delta variant is more transmissible than previous ancestral variants, but transmission in schools can continue to be low with vaccination among those who are eligible, strict adherence to masking, and avoidance of pandemic fatigue.”
Charlotte teacher warned about masks before firing, school says
A fourth-grade teacher was warned about following the rules the day before before she was fired for violating a face mask policy at her Charlotte school, documents show.
Julia Haferman had said she was “dumbfounded, confused and blindsided” after she lost her job at Bradford Preparatory School.
But records obtained by the newspaper show she received a warning on Aug. 10 after not wearing a face mask during meetings with parents, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“This is the first and only warning regarding the wearing of masks,” officials wrote in a disciplinary form. “If this continues, termination of employment could occur.”
She reportedly wasn’t wearing a mask on Aug. 11, the day of her termination.
NC mountain town offers workers vaccination incentive
A small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains has joined some other NC municipalities in offering workers a financial incentive to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Mars Hill Board of Aldermen on Monday approved giving a one-time $500 check to any still-unvaccinated worker who gets the vaccine, The (Asheville) Citizen Times reported.
That’s just 36% of employees being vaccinated.
The incentive is retroactive to Jan. 1, according to the newspaper.
Mars Hill, population 2,000, is about 18 miles north of Asheville, off U.S. 26 in Madison County.
According to the NCDHHS COVID-19 Dashboard, 55% of Madison County residents are partially vaccinated and 52% are fully vaccinated.
Sheriff’s sergeant died of COVID complications, officials say
A 60-year-old Transylvania County sheriff’s sergeant who died of COVID-19 complications contracted the disease at his workplace — the county jail, officials said.
Donald William Ramey “passed away peacefully” on Sept. 29, according to his obituary. He was married and had three sons.
The Brevard native served six years in the Marines after high school, according to his obituary.
He contracted COVID at the jail in Brevard, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page website. It was unknown Saturday if Ramey was vaccinated against the disease.
“Sergeant Ramey, for many years, you dedicated your life to protecting others that they may be safe,” resident Jess Espinosa posted on the Officer Down website on Friday. “ ... Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.”
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Workers fired for refusing vaccines may not get unemployment
North Carolina workers who lose their jobs over not getting COVID-19 vaccines may not receive jobless benefits, officials said.
“People who are fired or quit their jobs because they refuse to follow their employer’s vaccine requirement should not expect to receive unemployment benefits,” said Kerry McComber, spokesperson for the state Division for Employment Security. “One of the requirements for receiving unemployment benefits is that you became unemployed due to no fault of your own.”
Across the state, several major companies have added vaccine requirements in recent weeks.
“Anyone may apply for benefits, but every claim is different,” McComber said. “And the Division of Employment Security determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis by considering the facts and circumstances of the claim.”
This story was originally published October 9, 2021 at 8:34 AM.
