COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Dec. 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 4,100 cases added
At least 1,562,663 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 18,955 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, Dec. 9, reported 4,153 new COVID-19 cases, up from 3,294 on Wednesday.
Thirty-two coronavirus-related deaths were added on Dec. 9. Health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred.
At least 1,473 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Dec. 9, including 376 adults being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Dec. 7, the latest date with available information, 7.1% 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.
New COVID vaccine could be made in NC if approved
A plant-based COVID-19 vaccine developed in partnership between a Canadian biopharmaceutical company and GlaxoSmithKline will be made in the Triangle if it’s authorized for use.
Quebec City-based Medicago is seeking approval from Health Canada, the Canadian version of the Food and Drug Administration, as well as the FDA, The News & Observer reported. Spokesperson Lindsey Bailys said the application is expected to be completed with full data in the coming months.
Medicago plans to manufacture the vaccine in the Research Triangle Park if it receives approval from either or both government agencies.
The preliminary results of a Phase 3 clinical trial shows it was 71% effective against all COVID-19 variants except omicron, which just arrived in the U.S. last week. The companies said their vaccine was 75% effective against the delta variant.
Wake schools won’t ease indoor mask mandate
The Wake County school board voted to keep its indoor mask mandate for students, staff and visitors, citing an uptick in COVID-19 metrics after the Thanksgiving holiday.
The administration initially planned to recommend dropping the requirement after Thanksgiving for students in athletics and extracurricular activities, The News & Observer reported.
“Removing the requirements for students while participating in athletic events, for example, would have been a logical choice if positive cases and community transmission continued to decline and health officials agreed with our assessment. Unfortunately, that did not occur,” Paul Koh, Wake’s assistant superintendent for student support services, told the board.
The ABC Science Collaborative and Wake County public health officials also didn’t recommend making a change to the mask rules, according to The N&O.
Charlotte-area district pushes for ending school quarantines
A Charlotte-area school district wants North Carolina officials to end some coronavirus-related requirements for public schools.
In Union County, commissioners and the school board passed a joint resolution this week as leaders have said that vaccines and other tools can now help COVID-19 metrics stay low. Officials also say COVID-19 contact tracing puts a burden on health care workers and that “substantial costs” are tied to students going into quarantine from time to time.
“I support this for the children who time and time again were quarantined and never had COVID-19,” said Stony Rushing, a county commissioner. “These families, these children — the future of this county — they’re the ones who are suffering.”
Since the start of the school year, the Union County district hasn’t followed some recommendations. It hasn’t required face masks and a decision that would effectively stop widespread student quarantines came under fire from the state and the Union County health department. Now, local health officials are on board that the state should consider protocol changes, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Free at-home COVID tests available in Mecklenburg
Residents of Mecklenburg County can pick up free at-home COVID-19 test kits from new locations this week.
The program is in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and designed to ease the burden on residents who might face barriers to testing, The Charlotte Observer reported.
The test kits will be available at certain pick-up locations with no ID, appointment or insurance required, county officials said.
A list of those locations can be found here.
Two Canes players out of COVID protocol
Two players for the Carolina Hurricanes are now out of the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
Tony DeAngelo and Brett Pesce, both defensemen, can now resume hockey-related activities, officials said Dec. 8.
On Nov. 29, the two players went into the protocol, which requires players to quarantine for 10 days if they receive positive test results. DeAngelo and Pesce won’t be in Canada for the Canes’ upcoming road games but could join the team when it plays the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 14, The News & Observer reported.
This story was originally published December 9, 2021 at 7:01 AM.
