Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Feb. 1
Click here for updates for Feb. 2.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 8,000 cases added
At least 2,430,556 coronavirus cases have been reported in North Carolina, and at least 20,817 people have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday, Feb. 1, reported 8,757 new COVID-19 cases, up from 7,327 the day before. Another 60 coronavirus-related deaths were added.
At least 4,786 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Feb. 1, including 760 adults being treated in intensive care units. The total patient count was down from 4,883 the day before, according to state health officials.
As of Jan. 30, the latest date with available information, 29.8% 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 71% are 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 Feb. 1, 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% new COVID-19 cases in the nation were attributed to the omicron variant as of Jan. 29, the latest date for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Charlotte-area hospital facing surge will get federal help
A North Carolina hospital is getting help from the federal government as it experiences a surge of COVID-19 patients.
The medical support is scheduled to come to Atrium Health Pineville, a provider in the Charlotte area. Atrium didn’t immediately answer The Charlotte Observer’s questions on Feb. 1.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to send 15 people from the National Disaster Medical System. Officials said those teams have provided support across the country, and the Charlotte-area one could be in place for as long as two weeks.
“These NDMS teams serve as a lifeline to hospitals by providing temporary relief to staff, adding bed capacity, decreasing wait times, and improving outcomes for COVID-19 patients,” Dawn O’Connell, the health agency’s assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said in a statement.
How to keep pets safe from COVID
During the coronavirus pandemic, people are urged to avoid contact with their pets if they contract COVID-19.
National data show “110 cats and 95 dogs have tested positive for the virus” that causes COVID-19, and some animals may show symptoms including coughing, trouble breathing and vomiting, The Charlotte Observer reported Feb. 1.
If your pet becomes sick, a veterinarian may be able to share the best ways to keep your pet isolated.
Mecklenburg IDs unvaccinated workers in email mistake
Mecklenburg County sent an email to workers who haven’t shared proof of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, raising privacy concerns.
The county said the message didn’t violate HIPAA, which prevents health care providers from revealing some patient information.
“The email was intended to go to all County employees, not just a select group,” Mecklenburg County said in a statement. “Unfortunately, it went only to those employees who have not submitted proof of vaccination pursuant to county policy.”
The workers were mistakenly identified as officials hoped to inform employees that it had re-instated suspension rules related to COVID-19 testing. It had temporarily stopped the policy for those who are unvaccinated due to wait times for tests, The Charlotte Observer reported on Feb. 1.
How to get accurate COVID at-home test results
As free at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits from the federal government arrive in the mailbox of those that ordered them, experts have some tips to ensure users get accurate results.
At-home tests are accurate about 80% of the time, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Before taking the test, individuals should wash their hands, check that the test kit isn’t expired and make sure none of the items inside are broken or damaged. Once the test is taken, a common mistake users make is not reading the results in the right time frame. Experts say you should read the instructions that come with the test kit and set a timer to get the most precise results.
One study at Vanderbilt University found taking the test in the middle of the day could produce more accurate results than taking it at night, The Observer reported.
NC may require COVID vaccines for high schoolers
The N.C. Commission For Public Health is considering a petition to have the COVID-19 vaccine added to the state immunization requirements for children who are 17 years old or who are entering 12th grade as of July 1.
Kira Kroboth, founder of the Facebook group WCPSS: COVID Safety & Support, told The News & Observer she hopes the measure will pass, saying “I know there will be a lot of pushback, but we have to remember that mandated vaccines for schools are not new.”
But some conservative groups are opposed. Citizen Advocates For Accountable Government and Moms for Liberty plan to protest the petition on Wednesday, Feb. 2.
The Commission, which is made up of 13 members, is empowered under state law to adopt rules that protect the public health — such as adding immunization requirements for children. The state Department of Health and Human Services, however, has said it wouldn’t consider making the vaccine a requirement for students while it only has emergency use authorization from the FDA. But officials said they might consider it “at a later date.”
The FDA fully approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 16 and older in August and fully approved the Moderna vaccine for people ages 18 and older on Monday, Jan. 31.
Charlotte airport saw more travelers in 2021
At least 43 million people traveled through Charlotte Douglas International Airport last year — up 59% from the first year of the pandemic when 27 million passengers visited the airport.
“Our 2021 passenger numbers are pretty impressive considering the twists and turns we’ve experienced over the past two years,” CLT CEO Haley Gentry said in a statement.
Airport officials said the return of more business travel has aided its recovery, with business travel accounting for 24% of all passenger traffic in 2021. Business travel made up 34% of traffic before the pandemic in 2019, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Free N95 mask supplies low in Triangle counties
Triangle counties have been offering free face masks, but supplies have been dwindling.
As of Jan. 31, supplies were running low in Wake County and were gone in Orange County, The News & Observer reported.
Masks will be available at most Durham County libraries starting Feb. 1.
Free N95 masks have been offered at multiple Triangle sites through the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Compared to cloth options, health officials have said the face coverings offer more protection against COVID-19.
This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 7:08 AM.
