NCDHHS Dr. Mandy Cohen

April 7. By Dave Yochum. As a highly contagious COVID-19 variant first identified in the UK reaches every state in the US, North Carolina appears to be holding its own COVID-wise.

To date, the state has administered over 5.2 million doses of coronavirus vaccines. Forty percent of those 18 and up are at least partially vaccinated, and 26 percent of those 18 and up have been fully vaccinated.

As of today, anyone 16 years and older who wants a COVID-19 vaccination is eligible.

Appointment resource

Beginning today, April 7, Mecklenburg Public Health will open new appointments weekly on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. for appointments for the following week.

Trends

At a press conference yesterday, state officials said trends around new cases and positive test rates are heading in the right direction.

Gov. Cooper

“We remain focused on getting people vaccinated as quickly and as equitably as possible and continuing to slow the spread of the virus,” said Cooper. “The more people we vaccinate, the more we can safely do.”

Vaccinations

The state continues to focus on distributing vaccines quickly and equitably, said NC Dept. of Health & Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen.

“These tested, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines will help us get back in control of our lives and back to the people and places we love – like safely hugging a grandmother, traveling to see vaccinated family or friends, or having a potluck dinner with your vaccinated neighbors,” she said.