Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 14
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We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 800 hospital patients
At least 2,611,733 coronavirus cases have been reported in North Carolina, and at least 22,961 people have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday, March 14, reported 373 new COVID-19 cases, down from 955 on March 13 and 1,802 on March 12. The state doesn’t update case counts over the weekends.
An additional 39 coronavirus-related deaths were added to the total.
At least 854 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of March 14, including 164 adults being treated in intensive care units. The patient count was up from 813 the day before.
As of March 12, the latest date with available information, 2.6% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 76% 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 3.2 million ”additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of March 14, 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.
Across the nation, virtually all new COVID-19 cases were attributed to the omicron variant and its related “lineages” as of March 5, the latest date for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is deltacron?
A new coronavirus variant known as deltacron has been found in the U.S. and at least three European countries, just as COVID-19 cases and mask mandates in North Carolina are on the decline.
Deltacron contains elements from the omicron and delta variants and is known as a “recombinant virus,” The Charlotte Observer reported. It’s still too soon to say whether the newest variant is more severe than the delta or omicron variants that came before.
Scientists do, however, believe it could spread rapidly.
NC unemployment payments delayed early in pandemic, audit finds
Unemployment payments were delayed in North Carolina in early 2020, a period that included the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a state audit shows.
“As a result, $438 million of financial assistance was not received by unemployed North Carolinians during a time of great need,” state auditor Beth Wood said in a news release.
The audit covered a three-month period from January to March 2020. Unemployment claims started to rise in March as coronavirus-related shutdowns closed several businesses, The News & Observer reported.
During the pandemic, North Carolinians faced long waits and other problems as the state’s unemployment agency faced more jobless claims than ever. The audit found the N.C. Department of Employment Security wasn’t ready for the economic impacts of COVID-19.
“In response to Wood’s audit, Commerce Department Secretary Machelle Sanders said they did not disagree with any of Wood’s findings and have been working on improvements,” the N&O reported.
Charlotte marks two years of COVID
Two years after the coronavirus started to spread in the Charlotte area, some health care workers say it’s been the hardest time they’ve spent on the job.
Since Mecklenburg County reported its first COVID-related death on March 29, 2020, data shows more than 1,560 residents have died.
Though experts say the virus hasn’t moved into the endemic phase where infections are easier to manage, several health care professionals remain optimistic.
“I think that’s where we can all agree,” Julian Carranza of Novant Health said, according to The Charlotte Observer. “We’re hoping that we’re near the end of it. Obviously it’s been very challenging. It’s exhausting, mentally, physically. It’s been really difficult to see very, very sick patients.”
In the meantime, health officials say vaccines offer the best way to protect yourself from getting seriously sick with COVID-19. A growing number of people in the Charlotte area have also been interested in treatment options, though supplies are limited, the Observer reported.
Charlotte district says new mask rule rollout is smooth as some parents worry
Though Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reported having a smooth transition to its face mask-optional policy, some parents have shared their concerns.
Sean Strain, a school board member, was among parents who told The Charlotte Observer a teacher put “plexiglass privacy dividers” around desks. They were installed last week after the school district stopped requiring face coverings indoors.
“The issue was resolved as soon as it was raised with the principal,” Strain said. “The desk screens have been removed and students have the option in class of wearing or not wearing a mask.”
While one student said his peers are respecting his decision to continue wearing a mask, a parent told the school board she heard about a time when a teacher told all students to remove their face coverings. CMS didn’t immediately respond to a request for information about the allegation, the Oberver reported March 14.
NC health leader urges FDA revise blood donation rules amid shortage
North Carolina’s state health department secretary joined other health leaders in calling for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to end a waiting period for sexually active bisexual and gay men interested in donating blood.
Kody Kinsley, who is gay, in a letter asked the FDA to stop a deferral policy that stops men from giving blood if they have had sex with another man in the past 90 days, The News & Observer reported.
The call comes after officials saw blood donations drop during the spread of the omicron and delta coronavirus variants.
“Personally, it has been incredibly disappointing to be unable to join my colleagues and loved ones in donating blood, seeing how significantly the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the national blood shortage, risking patient care & safety,” Kinsley wrote on Twitter.
This story was originally published March 14, 2022 at 12:53 PM.
