Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Feb. 19
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.
Keep masks on, health officials in 2 mountain counties urge
Health officials in Buncombe and Haywood counties in the N.C. mountains urged residents this week to keep wearing masks in indoor public spaces.
Many N.C. county governments and school systems ended mask-wearing restrictions in public spaces such as schools and government buildings as COVID numbers fell. Gov. Roy Cooper called for N.C. cities and schools to lift mask mandates, and legislators passed a mask bill.
Buncombe County Public Health Director Stacie Saunder said she supports her county commissioners’ decision to lift a requirement to wear masks in indoor public settings, but she still “strongly recommends” wearing a mask where people gather indoors, WLOS reported.
And Haywood County Medical Director Dr. Mark Jaben and county Health Director Sarah Henderson said they opposed the county school’s board vote to make masks optional in schools.
COVID numbers remain “considerably high by all measures across Haywood County and all of Western North Carolina,” Jaben said, according to the station.
Some Asheville-area eateries still urge or mandate masks
Some Asheville-area eateries still require mask-wearing or strongly urge their employees and patrons to put one on, despite Buncombe County commissioners on Tuesday letting the county’s indoor mask mandate expire, the Asheville Citizen Times reported.
“My staff, I spoke to them and they all would rather continue with the masks,” Kirsten Fuchs, owner of Baked Pie Company in Arden and Woodfin and PB&J’s Café in Fletcher told the newspaper. “They just feel more comfortable for their sake, their health, and their family’s sake.”
Sean Piper, owner of the West Asheville restaurant Jargon, said he will no longer require masks but remains “passionate” about the need to keep wearing them.
“I’m so tired of people being mean to my staff over the masks,” he told the newspaper.
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 buildings.
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 onto 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.
Inmate dies after testing positive for COVID-19, official says
An inmate at Maury Correctional Institution who tested positive for COVID-19 died Thursday night at a hospital, N.C. Commissioner of Prisons Todd Ishee said Friday.
The prison is in Hookerton, southwest of Greenville.
The unvaccinated inmate was in his early 60s and had pre-existing medical conditions, Ishee said in a news release.
The man was the 58th N.C. inmate to die of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic nearly two years ago, officials said..
He tested positive Jan. 26 and was hospitalized Feb. 2, according to the release.
Face masks will soon be optional in Wake schools
The Wake County School system sent a message to parents on Friday, Feb. 18, that face masks will soon be optional for students and staff.
Officials didn’t say when the new 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.
Call or text this COVID mental-health support helpline, officials urge
State health officials this week urged North Carolinians needing mental health support to call or text a special 24/7 helpline.
The Hope4NC helpline, 855-587-3463, provides free resources, support and referrals, according to a news release by the state Department of Health and Human Resources..
“The pandemic has led to nearly every North Carolinian experiencing stress, anxiety, loss and other threats to their mental health and wellness,” NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley said in the release.
“No one should feel alone in this moment,” he said. “Remember that speaking up and seeking help is an empowering first step toward recovery.”
Hope4NC also helps people with no insurance find behavioral-health, mental-health and substance-abuse services.
