COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Nov. 13
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Case count tops 1.5 million
At least 1,501,801 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 18,411 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday reported 1,926 new COVID-19 cases, down from 2,198 the day before. The state health department didn’t publish case counts on Thursday due to the Veterans Day holiday.
There were 40 additional coronavirus-related deaths reported on Friday. Health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred.
At least 1,082 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday, including 308 adults being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Wednesday, the most recent date with available information, 4.4% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 72% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 68% have been fully vaccinated. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
5 Charlotte-area schools begin offering COVID vaccines
Five Charlotte-area schools launched COVID-19 vaccine clinics on Thursday.
StarMed is offering the shots at Charlotte-Mecklenburg School locations — including three in Charlotte, one in Huntersville and one in Mint Hill. The sites are allowing walk-ins and allow people to make appointments.
The clinics will have Pfizer vaccines for children ages 5 and older. COVID-19 testing and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots will also be available, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Patrick Smith, assistant superintendent of communications, said the school district will urge families to vaccinate their kids “to protect not only their health but also to protect in-person learning in schools.”
Cafe owner found guilty of violating COVID orders
A jury on Friday found the owner of Rise ‘n Shine Cafe in Asheville guilty on all eight misdemeanor counts of violating state COVID-19 orders by allowing sit-down dining in her restaurant in May 2020, the (Asheville) Citizen Times reported.
A judge ordered Kathleen Grace to serve a year of unsupervised probation. She and the limited liability company that owns the restaurant were ordered to pay a total of $2,000 in fines, according to the newspaper.
The same day that Rise ‘n Shine was cited in 2020, Carrol Dean Mitchem, Republican chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, was likewise cited for keeping his restaurant open despite Gov. Roy Cooper’s orders, The Charlotte Observer reported.
A judge previously found Grace in violation of Cooper’s orders, but she appealed, which led to the jury trial, the Citizen Times reported.
$4.5M in COVID aid will help Asheville-area homeless
The Asheville area is getting $4.7 million in COVID federal homeless aid to build and renovate homes and provide rent money for people in need, the (Asheville) Citizen Times reported.
The money is “more than four times what the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium normally sees,” Paul D’Angelo, the city’s community development program director, told city council members, according to the newspaper.
The consortium spans Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties.
The city council voted on Nov. 9 to accept the aid.
School system in NC mountains begins COVID vaccine clinics
Buncombe County Schools will offer the first in a series of free COVID vaccination clinics for ages 5-11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Asheville Middle School, WLOS reported.
“We plan to provide a warm and welcoming environment for children and families,” Stacey Wood, spokesperson for Buncombe County Health and Human Services, told the station.
“We’ll have privacy screens set up in the clinic, and we’ll have some small giveaways and things of that nature to hopefully make that experience a little better for everyone,” Wood said.
Other clinics are scheduled for Nov. 20 at North Buncombe High School, Dec. 4 at Clyde A. Erwin High and T.C. Roberson High School and Dec. 11 at Charles D. Owen High and A.C. Reynolds High School.
