COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Aug. 10
Click here for updates for Aug. 11.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Hospitalizations rise again
At least 1,089,923 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 13,768 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday reported 2,985 new COVID-19 cases, down from 3,863 on Monday. The state said its count from earlier this week included cases from June 30 to July 31 that had never before been reported.
Nine coronavirus-related deaths were added on Tuesday. Deaths don’t necessarily occur on the day the state reports them. The state health department revises its daily figures as more information becomes available.
At least 2,179 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Tuesday, the highest single-day total since mid-February. The patient count has been rising since July 9, when the state had 409 patients, The News & Observer reported.
As of Sunday, the latest date available, 14% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 62% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 58% have been fully vaccinated. State health officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
Charlotte mayor says she can’t make a mask mandate
Vi Lyles, mayor of Charlotte, said she’s not able to issue a face mask mandate to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
“We should be wearing our masks,” Lyles said. “That’s what I believe, but there are also people that don’t believe that and they may not support it. My family, we all wear masks. ... And what I want for my family, I want for the people in Charlotte.”
Though Lyles said she doesn’t have the power to require masks in Charlotte, mayors can implement coronavirus-related restrictions through emergency orders, according to the UNC School of Government.
Across Mecklenburg County, hospitalizations are on the rise and almost half of residents aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19, The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday.
Orange County to join Durham in requiring masks indoors
Starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Orange County is mandating masks indoors as the coronavirus continues to spread in the Triangle.
The rules for everyone older than 2 are set to go in effect after Durham on Monday started requiring face masks in public buildings
Durham city and county leaders made the change as the area declared a state of emergency. Everyone ages 5 and up must wear face masks in Durham’s public spaces, though there some exemptions, including for people with “medical and behavioral conditions or disabilities,” The News & Observer reported.
In the last two weeks, Durham County added 209 cases per 100,000 residents. During the same time period, Wake reported 370 new infections per 100,000 people, and Orange reported 171.
Community transmission of COVID-19 in much of North Carolina, including the Triangle, is considered “substantial” or “high,” data show.
Speed of COVID surge faster than in winter, experts say
Daily new coronavirus case counts in North Carolina are increasing faster than they did over the winter, experts said.
“What we’re seeing right now is an amplification in the spread of the increase in the number of [COVID-19 cases], and that’s worrisome to me,” said Dr. Pia MacDonald, infectious disease epidemiologist at the nonprofit RTI International.
Between June and October 2020, North Carolina mostly reported 1,000 to 2,000 new COVID-19 cases a day. It exceeded 3,000 cases on Nov. 11 and 4,000 cases on Nov. 19, The News & Observer reported.
But more recently, the state on June 30 reported just 208 coronavirus cases. Then, the count hit more than 4,000 on Aug. 5, data show.
“This rise in cases is faster than what we have seen with past increases,” Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department for Health and Human Services, said July 29. “This is because the COVID-19 virus is now much, much more contagious than it was earlier.”
But MacDonald said when this surge peaks, it won’t be as bad as the winter one. This time around, more North Carolina residents are vaccinated against COVID-19.
More infections reported among NC college students, kids
With the start of the school year on the horizon, North Carolina is seeing more younger COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
The state also reports a rise in cases among children and college-aged adults, mostly due to the delta variant.
“In the past six weeks, 18- to 24-year-olds have been infected at rates higher than any other age group, and children 17 or younger are seeing a surge in cases not seen since the virus’ winter peak,” The News & Observer reported Tuesday.
Many schools are planning for in-person classes this fall, and experts warn younger people who don’t get vaccinated or aren’t yet eligible to get their shots could spread the virus. Currently, vaccines are only available for children 12 and older.
Demand rises for COVID tests as delta variant spreads
The demand for COVID-19 tests is up as the delta variant continues to spread across North Carolina.
Anyone who wants a test can search for locations at covid19.ncdhhs.gov. People can also reach out to their doctors, pharmacies or local health departments to ask about testing.
Tests are free and don’t require insurance. For a list of options in the Triangle, click here.
Durham concert venue requiring vaccines
A Durham event space is requiring all attendees wear face masks and show that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Motorco Music Hall said it will check vaccine cards and temperatures of customers. It also plans to make sure workers are vaccinated and masked.
The rules also are in effect for Parts & Labor, a neighboring bar and restaurant, The News & Observer reported Monday. The announcements come as businesses are evaluating their protocols amid the threat of the delta variant.
Charlotte area’s positivity rate reaches level last seen in January
Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte, has a positive COVID-19 test rate not seen since a surge in cases in January, data show.
The rate is now over 12%, a level last hit after holiday gatherings led to upticks in infections, deaths and hospitalizations. A positive test rate higher than 5% means the virus has a more rapid spread, officials said.
But Mecklenburg is experiencing an “uneven” spread of the virus, with some ZIP codes reporting positivity rates lower than 5% and others reporting rates above 13%, The Charlotte Observer reported Monday.
Outbreak linked to Mecklenburg County courts
Some Charlotte-area trials and hearings are delayed after a COVID-19 outbreak closed courts.
Mecklenburg County officials said district and superior courts would be shut down through Tuesday to try to keep people from getting sick. The announcement came after five workers tested positive for COVID-19 and others have symptoms, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Earlier in the pandemic, concerns about the spread of the virus closed many North Carolina courthouses for about nine months.
NC health departments trying to administer vaccines before they expire
Demand for COVID-19 vaccines is picking up just before thousands of doses in the area are set to expire later this summer.
After a lull in getting shots, officials said North Carolinians may be turning to them as the contagious delta variant spreads.
For example, as Wake County nears its deadline to administer 2,100 doses, canvassers have been going door-to-door to help administer vaccines, The News & Observer reported Monday.
At-home COVID death rate higher among Hispanic residents
Hispanic people in North Carolina died of COVID-19 in their homes more often than residents who weren’t Hispanic, data show.
Roughly 11% of Hispanic patients lost their lives at home, in comparison to 5% of all other groups, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Health experts say coronavirus symptoms are usually mild before turning deadly.
“It’s hard to imagine someone going through all of those stages being deprived of the opportunity to save their life,” said David Wohl, who specializes in infectious diseases at UNC-Chapel Hill. “That should be avoided at all costs.”
But Hispanic residents may have stayed at home due to high medical costs, to avoid questions about immigration status or not wanting to miss time from work or family, according to experts who work with people in that community.
This story was originally published August 10, 2021 at 7:06 AM with the headline "COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Aug. 10."
