COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Nov. 2
Click here for updates for Nov. 3.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 1,200 cases added
At least 1,483,678 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 18,130 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday reported 1,214 new coronavirus cases, up from 1,096 on Monday.
There were 26 more coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday. Health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred.
At least 1,150 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Tuesday, including 331 adults who are patients in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Sunday, the latest date with available information, 6.4% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 71% of adults 18 and older in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 67% have been fully vaccinated. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
What NC doctors say about COVID shots for kids
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing to sign off on COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11.
If the CDC issues its recommendation, only the Pfizer vaccine will be available to kids in that age group. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only available to adults, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Doctors say the vaccine is safe for children and will prevent more COVID-19 related deaths among them. It will also help with coronavirus hospitalizations, which doctors say have been climbing among kids. Those hospitalizations are often very serious, said Atrium Health pediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Amina Ahmed.
“We know that in real life, (the vaccine) definitely works in adolescents,” Ahmed said. “So we’re very excited to have this available for (ages) 5 to 11. We’ve been waiting for this day.”
More answers to common questions about the vaccine and children can be found here.
UNC Health’s deadline for COVID vaccines is Tuesday
Up to 175 workers at UNC Health are at risk of losing their jobs Tuesday when the hospital system’s deadline for getting a COVID-19 vaccine passes.
According to The News & Observer, that means 99.4% of the 29,000 people employed by UNC Health have complied with its vaccine mandate, which requires employees to get a vaccine or obtain a medical or religious exemption. Dr. Matt Ewend, chief clinical officer at UNC Health, said he has mixed feelings going into Tuesday.
“I’m a little conflicted,” Ewend told The N&O. “Ninety-nine point four is a really good performance, but in my heart I wanted everybody. I didn’t want to lose a single person.”
UNC is the second health care system in the Triangle to reach its vaccination deadline, following Duke Health in late September.
Wake County EMS seeing uptick in calls
Wake County Emergency Medical Services is on track to see its highest number of calls in at least a decade.
Jose Cabañas, EMS director, told county commissioners there are several reasons for the increase, including that more people went out during the summer as COVID-19 restrictions lifted. Officials said people also may have put off getting medical care earlier in the pandemic.
“There were people who just flat out refused to go to the hospital because they were scared of catching COVID,” said Brian Brooks, a Wake County EMS spokesperson. “Their situation obviously has gotten a whole lot worse.”
In most cases, Brooks said patients are facing long wait times for primary care appointments. Wake County said it is trying to reduce its number of calls with a possible nurse line.
Meanwhile, Wake County EMS said some callers who don’t have emergencies are having to wait longer, The News & Observer reported Monday.
This story was originally published November 2, 2021 at 7:03 AM.
