COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Dec. 7
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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 2,100 new cases reported
At least 1,555,216 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 18,880 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday, Dec. 7, reported 2,104 new COVID-19 cases, a slight increase from 2,101 on Monday.
Twenty coronavirus-related deaths were added on Dec. 7. Health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred.
At least 1,376 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Dec. 7, including 342 adults being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Dec. 5, the latest date with available information, 9.1% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 73% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 69% have been fully vaccinated. Out of the state’s total population, about 58% are fully vaccinated and 62% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
NC sees post-Thanksgiving spike in coronavirus trends
North Carolina reported more than 20,000 new COVID-19 cases over the past week, including over 3,000 new cases daily between Wednesday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 4, state health department data shows.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services hadn’t reported more than 3,000 new cases in a day since mid-October amid a surge caused by the highly contagious delta variant, The News & Observer reported. The newest numbers come as North Carolina braces for another variant — omicron, about which much is unknown.
Hospitalizations have also climbed above 1,300, the highest they’ve been since late October, and the number of patients in the intensive care unit has continued to increase every day since Wednesday, Dec. 1.
Still, the metrics are lower than they were at the height of the delta surge, The N&O reported.
COVID metrics rise, so Mecklenburg mask mandate likely to stay
A Charlotte area face mask mandate is still in place as coronavirus metrics rise in the region.
Mecklenburg County said it would lift its mask requirement if the rate of positive COVID-19 cases stood below 5% for a week. But the latest data shows the county had a seven-day average of 8.3%.
Coronavirus-related hospitalizations also have increased in recent weeks, The Charlotte Observer reported Dec. 6.
Mecklenburg is seeing these trends as the omicron coronavirus variant has been reported in several U.S. states. Dr. David Priest, an infectious disease expert at Novant Health, said the omicron coronavirus variant is among the reasons it’s important to keep wearing face coverings in public.
This story was originally published December 7, 2021 at 6:48 AM.
