COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Nov. 9
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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.
More than 1,200 new cases reported
At least 1,495,521 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 18,336 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday reported 1,243 new COVID-19 cases, up from 1,103 on Monday.
There were 19 new coronavirus-related deaths reported on Tuesday. Health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred.
At least 1,097 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Tuesday, including 323 adults being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Sunday, the most recent 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 72% 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.
Researchers test nasal-spray COVID vaccine
Wake Research is looking for volunteers to test a COVID-19 vaccine in nasal spray form.
“This is going to be the first really big human trial,” said Dr. Matthew Hong, a family physician with Wake Research. “Everything is pretty sound as far as the mechanisms. It all makes sense.You actually have to put it on the road and test it. That’s what this is.”
Phase 1 of the study began with 49 patients, The News & Observer reported. Now they are continuing the trials nationwide with about 130 people, including 25 to 30 in the Raleigh area. Volunteers must be older than 18, unvaccinated and have not had coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.
Interested volunteers can call Wake Research at 919-781-2514 and ask for a recruiter.
Mecklenburg close to meeting threshold for ending mask mandate
A face mask mandate could soon come to an end in Mecklenburg County, which is home to Charlotte.
In a vote last week, the Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners moved forward with a plan to stop requiring face coverings indoors if the COVID-19 positivity rate stays under 5% for a week. The past week’s average was 5.5%, The Charlotte Observer reported Monday.
Other coronavirus-related trends have also been improving, including average hospitalization counts. As of Wednesday, there were 144 patients in hospitals, the lowest single-day total since July 25, data show.
Honeywell among latest NC employers to bring workers back into office
Honeywell has allowed workers to return to its Charlotte headquarters with a flexible schedule.
The technology company’s employees are back in the office three days a week, with an option for remote work the other two days. Honeywell is also requiring all Charlotte office workers to be fully vaccinated, though workers can seek “medical or religious accommodations,” The Charlotte Observer reported Monday.
“We are strong advocates for vaccination as the best available method to combat the pandemic,” Honeywell said in a statement.
After a surge in coronavirus cases over the summer derailed some companies’ plans to return to in-person work, Charlotte-area businesses have moved forward with bringing their employees back into the office.
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 7:04 AM.
