Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 15
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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 600 new cases
At least 2,612,382 coronavirus cases have been reported in North Carolina, and at least 22,966 people have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday, March 15, reported 649 new COVID-19 cases, up from 373 the day before. Five additional coronavirus-related deaths were added to the total.
At least 832 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of March 15, including 157 adults being treated in intensive care units. The patient count was down from 848 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 15, 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 12, the latest date for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
NC man gets prison for $1.7M COVID fraud
A 40-year-old man from Garner, North Carolina, was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison after prosecutors said he fraudulently obtained more than $1.7 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tristan Bishop Pan received the money in 2020 and initially applied for over $6.1 million in PPP funds, The News & Observer reported.
Pan reportedly used bogus businesses to apply for the loans, three of which were references to the HBO series “Game of Thrones.” They included White Walker, Khaleesi and The Night’s Watch.
Wake school cafeteria workers could get bonuses
School administrators in Wake County recommended using COVID-19 relief dollars on bonuses for school cafeteria workers who kept working during widespread worker shortages.
The proposal would provide bonuses between $450 and $1,350 and would be in addition to other bonuses and raises previously instituted to recruit more school nutrition workers, The News & Observer reported. The school board is slated to approve the bonuses on April 5.
“We know the importance of the work that they do for our students each and every day, so thank you for bringing this to us and to those folks who have worked really hard over this pandemic,” said school board chairwoman Lindsay Mahaffey.
Charlotte area sees lowest COVID positivity rate in months
Mecklenburg County — home to Charlotte — is close to hitting the lowest COVID-19 positivity rate it’s ever recorded.
As of March 13, the area’s positivity rate was 3.4%. That’s near the all-time lowest weekly average of about 2% reported in June 2021, data show.
The figures are also down from January, when the Charlotte region reported an average positivity rate of 33% as the omicron coronavirus variant spread, according to The Charlotte Observer.
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 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.
This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 7:23 AM.
