Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Feb. 18
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 4,800 new COVID cases
At least 2,559,793 coronavirus cases have been reported in North Carolina, and at least 22,148 people have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday, Feb. 18, reported 4,871 new COVID-19 cases, down from 5,583 the day before. An additional 87 coronavirus-related deaths were added to the total.
At least 2,634 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Feb. 18, including 480 adults being treated in intensive care units, health officials said. The total patient count was down from 2,711 the previous day, according to state health officials.
As of Feb. 16, the latest date with available information, 10.3% 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 61% are fully vaccinated and about 65% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
More than 3 million ”additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of Feb. 18, 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 23% of new COVID-19 cases in the nation were attributed to the omicron variant while others were attributed to its related “lineages” as of Feb. 12, the latest date for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Wake, Raleigh drop mask mandates
Wake County and the City of Raleigh are scrapping their face mask mandates beginning Feb. 25, the mayor said, marking the first time since August that masks won’t be required in public.
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin previously said they would wait another two weeks to decide whether it was time to lift the mandate, The News & Observer reported. The announcement follows a recommendation by Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday, Feb. 17, that all schools and municipalities end face mask mandates.
“We have vaccines and boosters. The rates are going way down,” Baldwin said. “I think people are feeling a lot better about where we are.”
At least five towns had signed on to the county mask mandate in August, according to The N&O. It wasn’t immediately clear if mask requirements in those towns will remain after the county mandate expires.
Charlotte schools prepare for major COVID changes
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education will vote on its face mask policy on Feb. 22.
Face masks are currently required indoors at all times among teachers and students, The Charlotte Observer reported. But the board could vote to drop the mandate, meaning masks would only be required on school buses because of federal regulations.
State health officials have also recommended changes to quarantine and contact-tracing procedures, but officials in Charlotte haven’t said if they’ll follow the new guidelines.
The school district currently requires any student or school employee who comes in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 to stay out of school for at least five days
Face masks will soon be optional in Wake schools
The Wake County School system sent a message to parents on Friday, Feb. 18, announcing that face masks will soon be optional for students and staff.
Officials didn’t say when the new masks-optional policy will take effect, The News & Observer reported.
The decision follows Gov. Roy Cooper’s news conference calling on school districts and municipalities to drop face mask requirements as the wave of omicron cases tapers off. Wake County officials said more details regarding the updated mask policy will be released once the school board decides on an effective date.
Mecklenburg businesses ready for end of face mask mandate
Many businesses in Mecklenburg said they’re ready to drop face mask requirements following a vote by county commissioners to lift the mandate.
Joe Kuhlmann, owner of The Evening Muse music venue, told The Charlotte Observer they’ve gotten flack from customers who were asked to wear a mask before coming inside.
“The problem with the mandate was there was no enforcement, no teeth in it,” Kuhlmann said. “We were an island unto ourselves.”
The Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to lift the countywide face mask mandate starting Feb. 26. But private businesses can still require customers to wear masks, and county officials still recommend residents wear one.
Which Triangle schools still have mask mandates?
School districts in North Carolina are facing a renewed call to end face mask mandates after Gov. Roy Cooper urged all schools and municipalities to reconsider the rules, citing a decline in new COVID-19 cases and higher vaccination rates statewide.
Face masks are optional in at least 60 school districts statewide, according to a spreadsheet maintained by the N.C. School Boards Association.
Several districts where face masks are still required are slated to reevaluate in the coming weeks, The News & Observer reported.
The school board in Durham voted Feb. 10 to continue with its mask mandate, while Chapel Hill-Carrboro plans to meet for a COVID-19 update on March 3.
Here’s a look at where other Triangle school districts stand.
Cooper calls for schools, cities to end mask mandates
Gov. Roy Cooper told school districts and local municipalities during a news conference on Thursday, Feb. 17, “to end their mask mandates.”
“In the early months where there was almost no PPE or testing and precious little vaccine or effective treatment, we put protections in place like mandatory masking and gathering limits that no doubt saved lives,” Cooper said. “... This variant is clearly more contagious, yet generally causes less severe illness, particularly to people who are vaccinated and boosted, and now people know how to gauge their level of risk and decide how to best protect themselves.”
“As a result of all these factors, I encourage schools and local governments to end their mask mandates.”
The announcement comes as state legislators approved a bill that would make masks in schools optional, The News & Observer reported.
Schools can begin voluntary masking on March 7, said Kody Kinsely, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
This story was originally published February 18, 2022 at 7:15 AM.
