Harris Teeter joins list of pharmacies offering free N95 masks. Find one near you.

Harris Teeter pharmacies join a growing list of places to find free non-surgical N95 masks.

It’s part of the Matthews-based grocer’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Complimentary masks are available beginning this week while supplies last, according to a company news release this week.

“Wearing a mask and getting vaccinated continue to be the top defense tools in our nation’s fight against COVID-19,” Casey Killough, Harris Teeter’s director of pharmacy, said in a statement.

N95 masks can filter out more than 95% of air particles, offering the highest level of protection against COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Harris Teeter, a subsidiary of Kroger Co. based in Ohio, has more than 250 stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.

What Harris Teeter customers need to know

▪ Every person can get up to three free non-surgical N95 masks.

▪ Look for the branded display or ask an associate for assistance in the store pharmacy.

▪ Learn about the importance of masking, and how to properly wear and remove an N95 mask at cdc.gov/coronavirus.

▪ To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination or booster appointment, visit harristeeterpharmacy.com.

Other places to find N95 masks

Free N95 masks began arriving in Charlotte last month, the Observer reported.

The federal government is providing 400 million N95 masks to pharmacies and community health centers.

Other pharmacy locations with free masks are: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart and Sam’s Club.

The numbers

Of COVID-19 patients in North Carolina hospitals, more than 68% are unvaccinated, 26.8% are vaccinated but not boosted and 5% are vaccinated and boosted, according to a statement from Gov. Roy Cooper’s office Thursday.

In intensive care, 79% of patients are unvaccinated, 18% are vaccinated but not boosted, and 3% are vaccinated and boosted.

NCDHHS encourages the use of well-fitting, multi-layer masks to protect against the spread of the virus. The Health and Human Services agency, which is distributing N95 masks to local partners, sent out over 7 million masks in January throughout the state, according to the governor’s office.

This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 3:51 PM.