COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Oct. 19
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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.
39 additional deaths reported
At least 1,455,188 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 17,575 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday reported 1,374 new COVID-19 cases, down from 1,599 on Monday.
Thirty-nine additional coronavirus-related deaths were reported Tuesday. Health officials don’t specify the specific dates the newly reported deaths occurred on.
At least 1,896 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Tuesday, including 529 adult patients who are being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Sunday, the latest date with available information, 7.6% 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 66% have been fully vaccinated. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
COVID clusters reported at 21 Triangle schools
The latest state health department data show at least 21 schools in the Triangle have active COVID-19 clusters — slightly higher than the 19 clusters reported in area schools last week.
The clusters were found in eight schools in Durham, six in Wake County, four in Orange County, two in Franklin and one in Harnett County, The News & Observer reported.
A cluster is defined as five or more cases connected over a two-week span.
But officials say there is a time lag between when coronavirus cases are identified and when they are listed on the state report. Schools may have more or fewer COVID cases than are shown.
Triangle-area hospital to open after pandemic forced delay
A new hospital is opening in the Triangle area after a recent surge in coronavirus cases caused a delay.
UNC Rex Holly Springs plans to open its doors on Nov. 1, later than the September date that was originally planned.
As coronavirus infections peaked in the late summer, Rex decided to keep its staff at its main hospital in Raleigh. But with that location now seeing fewer COVID-19 patients, staff can move to the Holly Springs facility, The News & Observer reported Tuesday.
The hospital will have 300 workers when it opens at N.C. Highway 55 and Avent Ferry Road in Holly Springs.
Metrics improve in Charlotte area as expert warns against being complacent
COVID-19 trends are improving in the Charlotte area, with new single-day infections less than half of the level reported in mid-September.
Mecklenburg County is seeing roughly 220 new cases each day, down from 517 around the same time last month. Coronavirus-related hospitalizations have also been going down, The Charlotte Observer reported Monday.
But data shows only 56% of people who live in Mecklenburg are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and an infectious disease expert at Novant Health says there could be outbreaks among people who haven’t gotten their shots.
“We’re not out of this just yet,” Dr. David Priest said last week. “We can’t be complacent.”
Triangle pharmacists vaccinate farm workers
Two Triangle pharmacists are working with volunteers to help vaccinate migrant workers and other Spanish speakers.
In 2020, Dr. Alfred Catolico and Dr. Jin Lee opened DJ’s Pharmacy in Cary. In recent months, they have gone to the Episcopal Farm Workers Ministry and surrounding businesses to administer hundreds of vaccines, The News & Observer reported.
“Without Dr. Lee, we really couldn’t reach the most vulnerable people — those people that are undocumented and don’t have cars, those people that come here with an H-2A visas (for temporary agricultural workers) and don’t have transportation to come to events like this one,” said Larissa Garzón with the Newton Grove ministry.
This story was originally published October 19, 2021 at 7:03 AM.
