Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 2
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We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More than 2,200 cases added
At least 2,592,991 coronavirus cases have been reported in North Carolina, and at least 22,671 people have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, March 2, reported 2,243 new COVID-19 cases, up from 1,231 the day before. An additional 63 coronavirus-related deaths were added to the total.
At least 1,461 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of March 2, including 275 adults being treated in intensive care units, health officials said. The total number of patients was down from 1,548 the day before.
As of Feb. 28, the latest date with available information, 5.6% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 76% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 71% are fully vaccinated. Of the state’s total population, about 61% are fully vaccinated and about 65% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
More than 3.1 million ”additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of March 2, the health department said. Health officials have urged those who are eligible to get booster shots, as data suggests they offer increased protection against the omicron coronavirus variant.
Across the nation, virtually all new COVID-19 cases were attributed to the omicron variant and its related “lineages” as of Feb. 26, the latest date for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Report shows pandemic learning loss for students
A preliminary report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shows learning for all students in the state took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting everyone behind where they should be academically.
“A week ago when we first got a look at this material, I think we both felt like crying,” said State Board of Education member Jill Camnitz, who chairs the board’s student learning and achievement committee. “It sort of confirms what you knew was coming, but seeing the reality is very painful.”
The report compared test scores on state exams from the 2017-18 and 2020-2021 school years, The News & Observer reported. It found a “negative impact for all students, for all grades, for almost every subject.”
While students did see progress, the report said, it was at a slower pace. Gaps also widened among economically disadvantaged students, and even academically gifted students struggled.
Most state agencies making face masks optional
The majority of state agencies in North Carolina are making it optional for visitors and workers to wear face masks, Gov. Roy Cooper said in an announcement.
But the updated rules will allow some supervisors to impose mandates “in settings that they determine to be high-risk to employees, the public, or others.” Also, visitors are required to follow all mask-related signs, The News & Observer reported.
“COVID-19 levels are declining rapidly, and we have vaccinations, boosters and effective treatments that are making this step possible,” Cooper said in a March 1 statement. “This virus is still causing serious illness and death mostly in unvaccinated people, and the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated and boosted.”
Triangle county to end face mask mandate
Orange County is set to end its face mask requirement starting March 7.
Renee Price, chair of the county board of commissioners, joined mayors from Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough in making the decision. Price said the change comes as a result of more people getting vaccinated and a drop in coronavirus cases.
“We ask everyone to respect the decisions made by individuals who continue to wear masks, as well as the rules instituted at businesses, health care facilities and service providers,” she said, according to The News & Observer.
Wake school district to end Virtual Academy program
The state’s largest school district will end a program designed to provide learning options during the coronavirus pandemic.
Wake County schools told parents its Virtual Academy will stop at the end of this school year.
At one point during the pandemic, the program had more than 80,000 students. This school year, enrollment stands at about 10,000, The News & Observer reported March 1.
“The Virtual Academy was designed and implemented as an emergency response to the pandemic,” the school district said. “We will now begin to explore what the future of an effective and sustainable virtual programming model might look like in the future, but implementation would not begin before the 2023-24 school year.”
Charlotte-area rent relief program reopens
A program designed to help Charlotte-area residents with utilities, mortgage and rent payments reopens March 1.
To be eligible, applicants must meet income requirements and show “pandemic-related income loss, illness or other financial hardship,” The Charlotte Observer reported.
The Mecklenburg County program is launching again after low funds forced it to stop taking applications in January. Now, it has $22 million more in funding from the state and other sources.
More information for the program is here: rampclt.com.
Durham to end face mask requirements
Both Durham County and the city of Durham plan to end face mask requirements.
The coronavirus-related mandates are scheduled to end 12:01 a.m. March 7, The News & Observer reported.
“With the CDC metrics, Durham is still in the high transmission category,” said Rod Jenkins, Durham County health director. “But our models show that our percent positive has been below five percent for two consecutive weeks.”
Health officials have said a rate of 5% or lower indicates community spread is low.
This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 7:08 AM with the headline "Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 2."
