Coronavirus updates for April 20: Here’s what to know in North Carolina this week
We’re tracking information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back every Wednesday for updates.
More than 7,200 new cases
At least 7,279 new coronavirus cases were reported in North Carolina last week, up from 4,851 the week before, according to preliminary data from state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services also reported 278 new weekly hospital patient admissions, an increase from 242 the week before, according to data through April 16, the most recent metrics available.
The figures were released Wednesday, April 20, the fifth week that health officials have adjusted information shared on their coronavirus dashboard and published weekly COVID-19 data. The data had been released almost every day.
Roughly 76% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 72% are fully vaccinated. Of the state’s total population, about 62% are fully vaccinated and about 66% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
More than 3.3 million ”additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of April 20, the health department said. Health officials have urged those who are eligible to get boosted, as data shows it offers increased protection against the omicron coronavirus variant.
Across the state, virtually all new COVID-19 cases were attributed to the omicron variant and its related “lineages” in the two weeks leading up to April 9, the latest time period for which data is available.
Charlotte arts festival returns after COVID pause
An arts festival is returning to Charlotte after a pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.
BOOM Charlotte, once a three-day event, will be scaled to two days after a surge of COVID-19 cases in the fall impacted planning.
This year, the annual festival will be held at Camp North End on Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23.
NC airports, transit systems drop face mask mandates
Several North Carolina airports and bus systems are no longer requiring passengers to wear face masks after a federal judge struck down a public transportation mandate on April 18.
Among those making masks optional were Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, according to The Charlotte Observer and the Associated Press.
People riding the Charlotte Area Transit System won’t have to mask up. GoDurham and GoRaleigh also dropped their requirements, though passengers are encouraged to wear face coverings, The News & Observer reported.
Also in the triangle, Chapel Hill Transit was continuing to require masks as of April 18.
The changes come after masks were linked to several air travel incidents on trips to Charlotte and beyond, officials said.
Some NC lawmakers call for ending COVID nursing home protections
After Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill protecting nursing homes from liability early in the coronavirus pandemic, some North Carolina legislators want to take steps toward changing the state’s “COVID immunity law,” The Charlotte Observer reported.
Attorneys and advocates have said the law shields nursing homes from accountability for issues that aren’t related to COVID-19. Now, some Republicans want Cooper to lift the COVID-19 emergency order, which would also take away the immunity provisions.
“That state of emergency is a cloud over North Carolina that is preventing the state from moving forward.” Sen. Jim Burgin said.
Jordan Monaghan, press secretary for the governor, said Cooper wants lawmakers to change or strike down the immunity law.
“The immunity provision is not a shield for wrongdoing and bad actors can and should be held accountable for their actions and resulting harm,” Monaghan said.
The discussion comes at a time when nursing home workers said staffing shortages have left patients experiencing neglect, The Charlotte Observer reported on April 19.
Raleigh mayor reports testing positive for COVID
Mary-Ann Baldwin, the mayor of Raleigh, said she tested positive for COVID-19.
Baldwin made the announcement on April 18. The following day’s city council transitioned to a virtual call “due to health concerns and out of an abundance of caution,” The News & Observer reported.
Baldwin, 65, reported having no symptoms and said she would get another test to confirm that she was infected.
Face mask requirement returns at NC school after cases tied to prom
A North Carolina high school started requiring face masks again after several COVID-19 cases were reported after its prom.
Almost half of the 30 infections at Carrboro High School were tied to the April 9 prom. Other students got infected after attending classes the following school week, The News & Observer reported.
Masks will be required through at least April 22, officials said.
Also in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district, a mask mandate was reinstated at Hillsborough Elementary School. That campus was expected to require masks until April 22 after the “in-school transmission rate had risen above a 2% weekly limit,” the N&O reported.
