Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Jan. 28
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 22,000 cases added
At least 2,374,866 coronavirus cases have been reported in North Carolina, and at least 20,595 people have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, Jan. 28, reported 22,631 new COVID-19 cases, down from 28,753 the day before. Another 78 coronavirus-related deaths were added.
At least 5,084 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Jan. 28, including 816 adults in intensive care units. The total patient count was down from 5,201 the day before, according to state health officials.
As of Jan. 26, the latest date with available information, 30.4% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 75% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 70% have been fully vaccinated. Of the state’s total population, about 60% are fully vaccinated and about 65% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
About 2.9 million ”additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of Jan. 28, the health department said. Health officials have urged those who are eligible to get boosted, as data suggests it offers increased protection against the omicron coronavirus variant.
About 99% of all new COVID-19 cases in the Southeast were attributed to the omicron variant as of Jan. 22, the latest date for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How to get rental assistance in Charlotte
Multiple organizations in Charlotte are offering financial assistance to help with rent and utility payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Crisis Assistance Ministry can help with rent and utility assistance at 704-371-3001 or online at crisisassistance.org/programs/basic-needs/emergency-financial-assistance. Matthews Help Center and Community Link are also potential resources, The Charlotte Observer reported.
The city of Charlotte also has a “COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Assistance Program” to help families struggling to pay their mortgage, and Mecklenburg County’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance to qualifying households.
Patients on ECMO machines as coronavirus fight continues
Despite falling coronavirus case counts in places that first saw the omicron variant, a nurse at an intensive care unit in North Carolina isn’t confident that the pandemic will be over soon.
Katie Creran works as a registered nurse at UNC Medical Center, where seriously sick patients receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) so their blood receives oxygen. These days, patients receiving the treatment have underlying conditions and aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Dr. Lauren Raff.
Health experts have urged people to get their shots to help prevent serious illness. Statewide, fewer than half of adults have gotten their COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots, The News & Observer reported.
“Things might get better for a little while, and then a new variant comes out and we still don’t have the herd immunity we need to be able to keep people out of the ICU,” Creran said. “I just guard my hope pretty close to the chest.”
How can face masks impact kids?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges kids ages 2 and older to wear face masks inside schools and other public places where community transmission of COVID-19 is considered substantial or high.
While data shows children are less likely to have serious COVID-19 symptoms, they can develop a long-term side effect or a complication called multisystem inflammatory syndrome. Studies have also found that wearing face coverings can help reduce the spread of particles that can transmit COVID-19, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Though there are health benefits, some studies have suggested mask wearing could impact kids’ learning and social skills.
Despite possible concerns, masks don’t block oxygen, trap carbon dioxide or weaken immune systems, said Dr. Kimberly Dickinson, a Johns Hopkins University pediatric pulmonary fellow.
Charlotte hospital workers get choice of extra vacation, cash
Winston-Salem based Novant Health is giving workers the option of an extra week of paid time off or an equivalent cash award as part of a $40-million program.
Novant employs about 12,000 people in the Charlotte area, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“We recognize that we must care for our team members first so that they are able to care for others, and I am proud we are able to extend this surprise reward to them,” Novant Health CEO Carl Armato said in a statement Thursday.
The incentive comes as hospitals struggle with rising COVID-19 infection rates as the omicron variant spreads.
How to get digital replacement for lost vaccine cards
Paper COVID-19 vaccination cards can be replaced with digital versions, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Valid replacements include a digital photo of your CDC Vaccination Record card, a digital version of your vaccine information from your provider’s record, or printed versions of your vaccine information from the N.C. Immunization Registry, N.C. DHHS press assistant Summer Tonizzo told The News & Observer.
People who got vaccinated at national pharmacy chains such as Walgreens or CVS should contact them directly.
Those who received a COVID-19 vaccine through a hospital network or at a health department event should be able to use a portal to access their vaccination information, The N&O reported.
More information about how to use the state’s vaccine management system portal and where to find a digital record of your COVID-19 vaccine history can be found here.
Deadline looms for COVID recovery grants
The deadline for businesses to apply for $500 million in North Carolina pandemic recovery grants is Jan. 31.
About 4,300 businesses have applied so far, The News & Observer reported. Calvin Patterson, president of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Winston-Salem, Gov. Roy Cooper and Department of Revenue Secretary Ronald Penny urged others to apply for the grants — which may be up to $500,000 each — before the deadline passes.
“We’re seeing impact, but we’re seeing hope as well, and this business recovery grant is a big part of that,” Patterson said.
Businesses that have suffered a 20% loss, as measured on their tax forms, are eligible to apply for the Business Recovery Program, which was passed as part of the state budget. Applications can be submitted online through the Department of Revenue website.
District plans to keep athletic attendance waiver as COVID causes absences
The Wake County schools plan to keep waiving attendance requirements for athletes as the district faces coronavirus-related absences, The News & Observer reported.
Students participating in sports had been required to be in school at least 85% of the time the semester before. But during the coronavirus pandemic, attendance has been down as children are exposed to the virus or get positive COVID-19 tests.
“We know that there were and are continuing challenges and obstacles due to the pandemic which might otherwise render some of our students ineligible,” Drew Cook, Wake’s assistant superintendent for academics, told the policy committee for the district’s school board.
Wake had waived attendance requirements for athletes in the fall, and the committee voted to extend it to the spring semester. The matter is expected to get approval from the full board next week, the N&O reported.
This story was originally published January 28, 2022 at 7:17 AM.
