COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Oct. 14
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Nearly 100 deaths added
At least 1,443,699 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 17,410 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday reported 3,761 new COVID-19 cases, up from 3,239 on Wednesday.
Eighty additional coronavirus-related deaths were reported Thursday. Health officials don’t specify the dates on which data newly reported deaths occurred.
At least 2,208 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Thursday, including 590 adult patients who are being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Tuesday, the latest date with available information, 5.9% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 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.
Wake says no to air purifiers in every class
School district officials in Wake County said in a presentation Wednesday that other steps to improve air quality in schools have negated the need for air purifiers in classrooms.
The presentation came after a parent advocacy group and members of N.C. State’s environmental engineering department pushed for widespread installation of air purifiers in classrooms to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, The News & Observer reported.
But officials said they’ve upgraded the filters installed in HVAC systems, run those HVAC systems for long periods of time before and after school to increase air flow, and put portable HEPA filters in rooms where students are unable to wear face coverings.
“Evidence that this is working is that a majority of our schools are having the 0 to 2 (COVID) cases weekly,” said Jim Martin, chairman of the school board’s facilities committee. “If we were having substantial issues in our air systems, those numbers would not be at that level.”
Raleigh government workers threaten to sue over vaccine requirements
More than 100 government workers have threatened to take legal action against the city of Raleigh over vaccine requirements.
In a letter to Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, attorney James Lawrence said incentives, policy that only vaccinated workers can be promoted and testing requirements for those who are unvaccinated are examples of a “discriminatory COVID-19 mandate.”
City of Raleigh Freedom to Choose — which is made up of police officers, firefighters and other city employees — isn’t “anti-vax” but supports workers being able to make their own medical decisions, Lawrence said.
Raleigh officials had no comment on the letter. In a statement, Baldwin backed the city’s current rules.
“Our goal is to encourage vaccinations and reduce the spread of COVID — for the safety of our community and our employees,” she told The News & Observer.
State fair attendees urged to take precautions
The North Carolina State Fair kicks off Thursday with new rules due to COVID-19.
Last week, state officials announced that it’s encouraging attendees to come vaccinated and wear face masks, though those aren’t requirements to enter. People should stay home if they feel sick, and it’s recommended that people who aren’t vaccinated get a COVID-19 test within three to five days after going to a large event, The News & Observer reported.
While case metrics have improved in recent weeks, health experts urge people to be cautious.
“This combination of high rate and low vaccination in a crowded setting makes me nervous,” said Lavanya Vasudevan, professor of community health at Duke University School of Medicine. “If I was advising the State Fair, I would recommend mandatory masks and vaccination, not one or the other.”
COVID clusters linked to 19 Triangle schools
Clusters of coronavirus cases have been tied to 19 schools in the Triangle, data show.
That’s a drop from last week, when clusters were reported at 28 schools in the region, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The counts are down after the state saw a surge in cases from the delta variant. Still, some families are concerned because only children ages 12 and older are currently eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The schools most recently linked to groups of COVID-19 cases were in Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Harnett, Orange and Wake counties. Click here for a list of affected campuses.
This story was originally published October 14, 2021 at 7:10 AM.
