Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 8
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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 new cases
At least 2,603,138 coronavirus cases have been reported in North Carolina, and at least 22,817 people have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday, March 8, reported 894 new COVID-19 cases, up from 528 the day before. An additional 15 coronavirus-related deaths were added to the total.
At least 1,157 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of March 7, including 218 adults being treated in intensive care units, health officials said. The patient count was down from 1,192 the day before.
As of March 6, the latest date with available information, 5.3% 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 3.1 million ”additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of March 8, 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.
How to find treatment for long COVID in Charlotte
For people experiencing lasting health effects from COVID-19, there are treatment and support options for people living in the Charlotte area.
Long COVID, also known as “Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection,” can last more than four weeks after a person tests positive, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Atrium Health is one of several medical providers in the state that have recovery programs for long COVID. People have reported experiencing fatigue, “brain fog” and difficulty breathing, Britney Broyhill, senior director of advanced practice and doctor of nursing practice, told the Observer.
If you have long COVID, it’s best to go visit your doctor for treatment options. Several support groups have also emerged for people experiencing lingering health impacts.
Map shows COVID risk areas in NC
A map uses coronavirus case rates and hospitalization metrics to determine COVID-19 levels in North Carolina counties.
While counties labeled with the color green can end indoor mask requirements, those labeled in yellow mean people at high risk of getting seriously sick should show caution.
The Centers for Disease Control suggests areas in orange on the map keep face mask rules and other coronavirus-related precautions. Sixteen of North Carolina’s 100 counties fall within that category, The Charlotte Observer reported March 8.
All Triangle counties make masks optional; rules in place at some schools
All Triangle counties and several towns and cities within them no longer have face mask mandates.
Gov. Roy Cooper had encouraged entities to ease their face covering requirements by March 7 as coronavirus case counts fall and more people get their vaccines.
North Carolina reported 528 coronavirus cases on March 7, down from the peak of more than 44,000 cases reached as the omicron variant sent case counts surging two months ago.
Also in North Carolina, masks are now optional for people working at or visiting state agencies.
But businesses may still require people to wear face coverings. Also, some Triangle-area school districts continue to have mask rules.
Some doctors reticent to give up face masks
As municipalities and school districts drop face mask mandates amid a decline in COVID-19 cases following the omicron surge, some doctors say it makes sense for certain people to keep wearing a mask.
That includes individuals who have not received any dose of a coronavirus vaccine or who face increased risk of getting very sick with COVID-19 because of age or underlying health conditions, The News & Observer reported.
“I think that folks have to be very thoughtful if they’re at risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 and continue to mask,” said Dr. David Wohl, an infectious disease specialist at UNC Health. “For me — and I’m not necessarily in that category except that I’m 58 — I’m going to continue to mask for a while in indoor public places until the numbers go down, really to a fraction what they are now.”
Dr. Shannon Carson, a pulmonologist who has treated COVID-19 patients at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, said he is still wearing a mask but might change his mind if the case count continues to fall.
“There’s still a virus out there; you’re still getting positive cases. And we still don’t have the best vaccination rate in this state,” Carson said. “So I think wearing masks to protect those individuals is still important until this settles down a bit more.”
Face mask requirement ends in Wake schools
There’s no longer a requirement to wear face masks in the largest school district in North Carolina.
For the first time in two years, students and teachers in the Wake County schools have the option of wearing face coverings. Parents had mixed reactions about the change.
“We were comfortable with our kids making the decision for themselves while others are going to be a little bit more conservative about it, and that’s fine,” Melissa Carolla said, according to The News & Observer.
Another parent, Kaitlin Baynes, said her children will keep wearing masks and wanted Wake to continue requiring masks through the end of the school year.
“We’re just sort of taking it one week at a time, but right now we still feel like there’s a big benefit of wearing masks,” Baynes said. “Our family hasn’t had COVID and we’d like to keep it that way.”
This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 7:08 AM with the headline "Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 8."
