More Than 50 Percent of Adults in North Carolina Have Received the COVID-19 Vaccine

North Carolina hit a major benchmark this week, as half of adults age 18 and over have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“This is a significant milestone toward our goal of stopping the spread of COVID-19 and bringing summer back to North Carolina,” said the state’s Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen in a press release.

According to data from DHHS, 50.1 percent of adults age 18 and over have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 43.1 percent are fully vaccinated. Nearly 75 percent of adults age 65 and older in North Carolina are fully vaccinated.

This benchmark comes as North Carolina prepares to lift the majority of its COVID-19 regulations and restrictions. Governor Roy Cooper said the state is targeting June 1 as the date to lift all mandatory social distancing, capacity and mass gathering restrictions.

Last week, Cooper signed an executive order that lifted the outdoor mask mandate across the state. However, the indoor face mask mandate will remain in place until at least two-thirds of adults in North Carolina have received at least one vaccine dose and if COVID-19 trends remain stable.

While June 1 is still the target date to lift many of the restrictions, Cooper acknowledged that the indoor face mask mandate likely will not get lifted at that date.

“That is the plan,” Cooper previously said, “It would be great if we had two-thirds vaccinated by then, but we probably won’t, [so] we will still on June 1 continue the indoor mask mandate. When we get to two-thirds vaccinated, we’re hoping to lift the indoor mask mandate. That’s our goal and we look forward to that day.”

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

‹

North Carolina Begins Phase 3 Today. What Should You Expect?

North Carolina will begin Phase 3 of its reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic at 5 p.m. on Friday. Governor Roy Cooper made the announcement on Wednesday, saying his administration was “cautiously encouraged” to move forward with reopening. “I believe that North Carolina can do this safely,” Cooper said. “But so I am clear, every gathering […]

As COVID Cases Surge with New Variants, Experts Encourage Bivalent Vaccine

North Carolina last week, compared to 23,322 the previous week. UNC infectious disease specialist Dr. David Wohl said the latest Covid surge is placing stress on hospital systems, clinics and workplaces.

Two Years Into Pandemic, Healthcare Staff Shortages and Burnout Reign

Amid yet another surge of COVID-19 cases and ever-changing protocols and recommendations, healthcare systems and their employees continue to face burnout, staffing shortages and mental health crises.

Red Cross Faces Biggest Blood Shortage Since 2015, Needs 40,000 More Donors

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood and platelet shortage as collection events are cancelled or postponed due to the pandemic and flu season looms on the horizon.

UNC Infectious Disease Expert Urges Vaccinations as COVID Cases, Hospitalizations Surge

As Orange County prepares to implement an indoor mask mandate, and COVID-19 cases surge due to the more contagious delta variant, infectious disease experts continue to urge people to get vaccinated.

North Carolina Reverses Course, Urges Masks in All Schools

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday decided to reverse course from guidance he issued last week and will now urge all K-12 public school students and staff to be masked, even if they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The Democratic governor and the state’s top public health official, Dr. Mandy Cohen, pinned much blame […]

UNC, Duke Health To Require Staff COVID-19 Vaccinations by September

UNC Health, alongside other state healthcare systems, has announced that it will make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for all staff. According to a UNC Health statement, all staff must receive their vaccine by Tuesday, September 21. The message said the main goal of these mandatory COVID vaccinations is to “protect the health and safety of our […]

North Carolina Surpasses 1 Million COVID-19 Cases

North Carolina hit a major benchmark on Wednesday when it officially surpassed one million COVID-19 cases within the state. Data from the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services shows the state has accounted for 1,000,416 total cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in early 2020. Data from the Center for Disease Control […]

OC State of Emergency Needs Permission From State, May Expire Ahead of Schedule

Amid changing guidelines from the state and federal government, Orange County may soon have to alter its COVID-19 State of Emergency order to expire ahead of schedule. 

More Than 50 Percent of Adults in North Carolina Have Received the COVID-19 Vaccine

North Carolina hit a major benchmark this week, as half of adults age 18 and over have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. “This is a significant milestone toward our goal of stopping the spread of COVID-19 and bringing summer back to North Carolina,” said the state’s Department of Health and Human […]

›