Gov. Cooper receives his vaccine
March 9. By Dave Yochum. With a 12 percent decline nationwide in new cases of COVID-19 last week and vaccinations accelerating to more than 2 million a day, there’s good news out of North Carolina as well.
The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services reported fewer than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 today—997 to be exact.
It’s a positive milestone for a change. Exactly two months ago, on Jan. 9, the NCDHHS reported more than 11,500 new cases. You’d have to go back to the beginning of October to find a lower daily case volume.
Press conference today
Explaining that North Carolina’s goal for coronavirus vaccinations is “fast and fair,” Gov. Roy Cooper said during a 3 pm press conference today than more than 1.1 million North Carolinians have been vaccinated so far. Of course, 8 million more people need to be vaccinated, he added.
Perhaps foretelling St. Patrick’s Day celebrations next week, he said, “let’s not get caught celebrating too early.”
Progress in the fight against COVID-19 is apparent week over week, NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said during the press conference.
Hospitalizations
Hospitalizations were at 1,147 statewide, up slightly from 1,126 yesterday. On Jan. 9, COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide were at 3,871.
The new Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose vaccine can be kept in a regular refrigerator. Photo: Atrium
Deaths
There were 17 new deaths statewide attributable to the coronavirus, for a total of 11,552 since the outbreak began a year ago.
Testing
The statewide positive test rate is at 5.2 percent, down from 15-16 percent at the beginning of the year. The positive test rate in Mecklenburg was 4.8 percent in today’s report—under the goal of 5 percent.
Mecklenburg
In Mecklenburg County, the NCDHHS reported 92 new cases, down from 466 new cases yesterday and 585 new cases exactly one week ago.
North Mecklenburg
Cornelius: 6 new cases, 2,560 cumulative; 23 deaths total.
Davidson: 0 new cases, 1,446 cumulative; 15 deaths total.
Huntersville: 10 new cases, 5,208 cumulative; 47 deaths total.
Starting March 24, Group 4, which is composed of adults 16-64 years old at high risk for exposure and increased risk of severe illness, will now be vaccinated.
