COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Nov. 6
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 1,900 cases added
At least 1,489,653 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 18,251 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday reported 1,997 new coronavirus cases, down from 2,201 on Thursday.
There were 40 coronavirus-related deaths reported on Friday. Health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred.
At least 1,144 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday, including 340 adults who are patients in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Wednesday, the latest date with available information, 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 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.
Biden’s vaccine, testing mandate in North Carolina
North Carolina is one of several dozen states in the U.S. with their own state-run OSHA program to protect workers, which complicates how the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirement will take effect.
The state Department of Labor can choose how, or if, it will implement the mandate, The News & Observer reported. It has 15 days from Nov. 5 to respond to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration with its decision.
N.C. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said his department is reviewing the rule. In the meantime, he has expressed some concern about the rule, pointing to his department’s ability to enforce it.
“We anticipate legal action at the state and federal level, which may impact NCDOL’s next steps,” Dobson said. “I am considering all possible avenues and will pursue the option that best serves the collective interests of North Carolina employers and workers.”
Despite cold temps, COVID leaves Asheville homeless without a shelter
Despite expected freezing overnight temperatures this weekend, COVID concerns have left Asheville area homeless persons without a community shelter option, WLOS reported.
On Facebook Thursday, the Asheville Homeless Coalition issued its first Code Purple extreme cold temperature warning of the season for Friday and Saturday.
“There is not a shelter option at the moment but this is legitimately in the works for the middle of the month,” Tracey Childers, co-chair of the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition, wrote. “In the meantime, please support outreach efforts in the community.”
“Basically, not having a place in the community for folks to go means they’re going to be on the street,” Tim McElyea of Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry told the station.
McElyea said no shelters are available this weekend because many homeless persons are unvaccinated, although efforts continue to get them vaccinated.
The ministry intends to open a Code Purple shelter for men around Dec. 1, he said.
A low of 32 degrees was expected in Asheville on Friday night and 31 degrees on Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service forecast on Friday afternoon.
COVID delayed German brewery opening in Charlotte. Here’s the latest.
One of the oldest beermakers in Germany said it was unable to open its first U.S. brewery in Charlotte during Oktoberfest due to COVID-19 delays.
Gilde Brewery now plans to open in mid-December, president Mike Gaertner told The Charlotte Observer Wednesday.
The brewery at 3530 Dewitt Lane in the Lower South End neighborhood will be the 475-year-old brewer’s first expansion outside of Hannover, Germany, the Observer previously reported.
The pandemic caused other delays, too, for Gilde.
Gaertner said he started making plans to open Gilde in Charlotte two years ago, but had to return to Germany last year because of the pandemic. He said he used that time to find the property and continue planning.
NC wants quarantined students to get excused absence
The State Board of Education approved a change to its attendance policy on Nov. 4 that allows for excused absences for students who have to quarantine or isolate from the coronavirus.
The previous policy only considered it an excused absence if the quarantine or isolation was ordered by a local public health officer or the State Board of Health, The News & Observer reported. Now the policy states it is an excused absence if a student misses school as “a required state or local control measure.”
The change came after school districts, lawmakers and parents became concerned about students getting unexcused absences.
“Obviously we don’t want our students to be counted as an unexcused absence for doing what they should do, which is quarantining when they have been exposed to COVID,” said Allison Schafer, general counsel for the State Board of Education.
