COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Dec. 10
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 3,600 cases added
At least 1,566,269 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 18,976 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday, Dec. 10, reported 3,606 new COVID-19 cases, down from 4,153 on Thursday.
Twenty-one coronavirus-related deaths were added on Dec. 10. Health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred.
At least 1,493 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Dec. 10, including 372 adults being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.
On Dec. 8, the latest date with available information, 7.4% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 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.
Raleigh mayor debates relaxing mask mandate
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin has asked staff to look at ways they can relax the citywide mask ordinance after hearing complaints from residents — but she wants to make sure it can be done while ensuring everyone’s safety from COVID-19.
“I’m struggling with this because I’m trying to find balance,” she said at a recent Raleigh City Council meeting. “And I’m hoping after staff researches this, we can make some adjustments based on what we’re seeing other communities do.”
One of the complaints has been that people don’t feel like they can work out while wearing a mask at the gym, she said, according to The News & Observer. There are also business owners worried if they can make it to next year.
Baldwin said the city is waiting to see if coronavirus trends increased two weeks after Thanksgiving.
NC reports first case of omicron variant
The first case of the coronavirus omicron variant has been detected in North Carolina, Mecklenburg County public health officials said on Friday, Dec. 10.
A student at UNC Charlotte who was vaccinated tested positive for the variant, The Charlotte Observer reported. The student had minor symptoms, was isolated and has since recovered. Officials said exposure was limited to one known contact.
UNC Charlotte told students in an email that the on-campus sequencing lab identified the positive test from a student who traveled out of state over Thanksgiving.
“All close contacts were notified through the university’s contact tracing protocols, and no additional positive cases have been identified,” the university said.
Public health officials urged everyone to get vaccinated, wear masks in public and avoid big crowds during a news conference.
“This virus is not going away,” county Health Director Dr. Gibbie Harris said. “That is probably the one thing we can say for certain.”
Why are some Charlotte residents getting their first doses now?
Some in Charlotte are getting their first doses of COVID-19 vaccines months after they became widely available.
While most people at a recent Novant Health clinic signed up for booster shots, some factors have pushed others to get their first shots. The factors include worries about new coronavirus variants, upcoming holiday gatherings and job-related vaccine requirements, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Dr. Charles Bregier, an emergency medicine specialist for Novant Health, said people may also be eager to return to normal and that he’s recently seen a small increase in people getting their first shots.
”I’m just trying to be proactive about my health now. Self care, along with mental care,” said Timothy Garcia, who got his first shot on Dec. 7. “Same thing with my family — we’ve had a lot of close calls. That kind of brought it to my attention that I need to be proactive.”
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 is 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 coronavirus 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 Thanksgiving.
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.
This story was originally published December 10, 2021 at 6:52 AM.
