March 2. The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services is reporting an increase of 1,239 cases of the coronavirus statewide, a low so far this year. At a 2 pm press conference today, Gov. Cooper announced that all essential front-line workers in Group 3 are eligible for vaccinations starting tomorrow.

The announcement follows the approval of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine and an expected increase in vaccine supply to North Carolina.

The volume of new cases over the past week is 12.7 percent below the volume over the past 31 days, based on data from Johns Hopkins University. (See chart.)

Hospitalizations

Statewide, hospitalizations were about level, rising from 1,319 yesterday to 1,353 today.

Deaths

There were 34 new deaths statewide attributable to the coronavirus. There were no new deaths in Mecklenburg County in today’s NCDHHS report.

Testing

The statewide positive test rate is at 5.7 percent statewide and in Mecklenburg County.

Mecklenburg

The NCDHHS reported 130 new cases.

North Mecklenburg

Cornelius: 7 new cases, 2,524 cumulative; 21 deaths total.

Davidson: 3 new cases, 1,424 cumulative; 15 deaths total.

Huntersville: 0 new cases, 5,126 cumulative; 47 deaths total.

Dr. Mandy Cohen

The new J&J vaccine

“This is a really exciting moment. A third COVID-19 vaccine means North Carolina can get more people vaccinated sooner and keep people out of the hospital and prevent deaths from this pandemic.”

—NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen