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13:20
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports that 109,799 people have received the first dose of vaccine to date in the state.
There may not be enough reporting on the number, as there can be up to 72 hours delay in reporting.
The number also does not include the 165,990 doses allocated for long-term care facilities. As of January 4, CVS and Walgreens reported to NCDHHS that 13,338 doses had been administered by the federal program to long-term care institutions in NC.
13:15
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in North Carolina is still increasing.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported Tuesday that there were 3,781 people in the hospital with the virus. It has risen from Monday 146 and so far a record in the pandemic.
382 confirmed COVID-19 patients were admitted in the last 24 hours.
The percentage of positive tests is at 16.2 percent, which is much more than the state’s target of 5 percent.
A total of 5,285 new cases were reported on Tuesday.
Another 55 deaths were reported. This brings the number in the state to 6,996 since the beginning of the pandemic.
13:05
Government Roy Cooper is mobilizing the National Guard to help with the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in North Carolina.
It is currently our top priority to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are administered quickly. We will use all necessary resources and staff. I have mobilized the NC National Guard to provide support to local health care providers as we continue to increase the rate of vaccinations. – RC
– Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Gouverneur) 5 January 2021
Cooper tweeted that obtaining the vaccines is the state’s highest priority. He said the use of the National Guard would help local health care providers increase the rate of vaccinations.
The message comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the state has one of the worst vaccination rates in the country.
13:00
Early recipients of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine began receiving their second dose at UNC Medical Center on Tuesday.
The hospital said it had vaccinated 14,000 employees since the vaccination became available weeks ago. The employees now receive the follow-up dose, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.
UNC Health said UNC REX employees in Raleigh will receive their second doses on Thursday.
10:50 am
For the second time, The Cypress of Raleigh has a confirmed COVID-19 outbreak.
The Cypress of Raleigh is a retirement community and nursing home in North Raleigh.
The plant had its first outbreak in August. The state defines an outbreak as two or more confirmed cases in a municipal setting.
According to NCDHHS rules, the institution must now revert to previous restrictions and not allow visitors during 28 days.
Specifications regarding the number of cases confirmed at the facility, or if the cases are among staff or residents, were not disclosed.
TUESDAY MORNING STORYLINES
Elderly people at one Raleigh community center received potentially life-saving vaccines on Tuesday.
The cardinal at the North Hills Parent Home Community is hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for approximately 300 staff members and residents. The group is among those at risk, and is part of the demographic that is eligible for the early stages of the state of vaccination.
SEE ALSO: North Carolina among the 7 states with the lowest vaccination rate COVID-19, says CDC
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said some areas may move to Phase 1B in the vaccine deployment plan. The phase includes adults 75 years and older and essential workers.
This happens while some health workers in Phase 1A are not yet offered the vaccine.
It all comes as state and federal officials acknowledge that the rollout of vaccines has not gone as smoothly as they had hoped.
“There were some mistakes. It’s understandable,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci said. “We are not where we want to be, there is no doubt about it.”
There are no specific dates yet when the next phase of vaccination will begin, or any procedure where you can sign up to be notified when it’s your turn.
Health officials say it is important to be patient. NCDHHS directs people to this site for more information on the vaccination stages.
MONDAY
22:00
In an effort to improve the spread of vaccinations, the Cumberland County Department of Public Health is suspending its test areas immediately, according to a press release Monday.
Since December 18, the department has been offering free COVID-19 tests twice a week at Manna Church and Second Missionary Baptist Church.
Dr. Jennifer Green, the director of the health department, told Michael Lozano, ABC11, that it was a decision they did not take lightly, saying: ‘We want to make sure there is staff capacity or that there is capacity to test in our community. And once we felt comfortable, we were comfortable moving in that direction. ‘
Dr. Green said the department had received more than 3,500 doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in recent weeks; at that time, however, they could spread to more than 300 people just under Phase 1A.
“We received the vaccine about a week or two after the hospitals did it, and we’re still navigating through the first phase,” Green said.
A major gap that the CCDPH hopes they can close with the help of its 250 nurses and staff. Green says they are all trained to distribute vaccines or operate the sites so they can turn around and maintain other departments.
According to local health officials, Cumberland County has a total of 14,430 cases of COVID-19, 140 total deaths and a positive percentage of 15.4%.
Green told ABC11 that there are still more than 20 free COVID-19 test sites in the country, which made their decision to close it more reasonable. She believes the loss of some test sites will not drastically affect the data the department collects.
“There are many test sites available to the public that are also available for free and readily,” Green added.
The CCDPH is receiving another shipment of 975 doses of Pfizer this week and is working to vaccinate firstborns and individuals returning for the second dose. The department will also work to back up a few more test sites.
“We’re still going to continue with our vendor with our state health department; they just will not be staffed by the health department,” Green said.
Despite the decline of the province, dr. Green told ABC11 they expect to catch up and will start phase 1B with most of the phase next week.
If you are looking for free COVID-19 testing, you can go to the NCDHHS website or the province website.
There is still no word on how many vaccination sites will be available.
21:20
The Harnett County Board of Education has approved that students return to personal tutoring on January 19th. Kindergartens up to fifth will receive face-to-face instruction four days a week. Middle and high school students will continue according to an A / B schedule
Pre-K will continue teaching five days face-to-face.
17:15
Those 75 years or older can register from this week to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from the Wayne County Health Department under Phase 1B.
The Wayne County Department of Health has only 550 doses of the vaccine to report to these two vaccination events. More information can be found here.
12:15 pm
The daily percentage positive test rate for COVID-19 in North Carolina rose to about 16.5%, the highest of the pandemic.
The peak comes after Sunday’s 13.6% rate and Saturday’s 15.5% rate.
The state reported 5,187 new COVID-19 cases on Monday and there are currently 3,635 people admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, also a new high.
There were 6,941 deaths (an increase of 31 compared to Sunday’s report) due to COVID-19 and 570,111 cases. Full statistics are available on the COVID-19 dashboard of the state.
MONDAY MORNING CUPS
The UK has distributed the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. Officials said they have 530,000 doses of the vaccine and will continue to issue the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Dialysis patient Brian Pinker was the first to shoot the new vaccine at Oxford Hospital.
Free COVID-19 testing continues this week in Wake County. You can get a free COVID-19 test this week at Roberts Park, Marsh Creek Park and Method Community Park in Raleigh. No ID or insurance is required. More information is available on the Wake County COVID-19 website.
Today is also the first day that some American patients receive the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. It’s been 21 days since the first authorized Pfizer vaccines were given to frontline workers.
The vaccine requires a second dose three weeks after the initial dose to provide the best protection against COVID-19.
SEE ALSO | Larry King hospitalized in Los Angeles with COVID-19
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