Coronavirus updates for April 13: Here’s what to know in North Carolina this week
We’re tracking information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back every Wednesday for updates.
More than 4,700 new COVID cases
At least 4,741 new coronavirus cases were reported in North Carolina last week, up from 3,074 the week before, according to preliminary data from state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services also reported 242 new weekly hospital admissions, down from 274 the week before, according to data through April 9, the most recent metrics available.
The figures were released Wednesday, April 13, the fourth week that health officials have adjusted information shared on their coronavirus dashboard and published weekly COVID-19 data. The data had been released almost every day.
Roughly 76% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 72% are fully vaccinated. Of the state’s total population, about 62% are fully vaccinated and about 66% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
More than 3.3 million ”additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of April 13, the health department said. Health officials have urged those who are eligible to get boosted, as data suggests it offers increased protection against the omicron coronavirus variant.
Across the state, virtually all new COVID-19 cases were attributed to the omicron variant and its related “lineages” as of April 2, the latest date for which data is available.
Dozens of city workers sue Raleigh over vaccine rule
Dozens of people who work for the city of Raleigh have sued the city over COVID-19 vaccine rules they call “discriminatory.”
Those include policies that would allow employees to receive promotions only if they have gotten their shots. Julia Milstead, a Raleigh spokesperson, said the rule remains in place and that the city wouldn’t comment on the ongoing lawsuit, The News & Observer reported on April 6.
In addition to the city, defendants in the lawsuit include Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and City Manager Marchell Adams-David.
“Without even bothering to put the matter up to a vote, the Mayor and City Manager issued the following communique to more than 3,800 police officers, firefighters, and other City workers: you can keep working for us, but if you do not take one of the COVID-19 vaccines, we will not promote you,” the complaint said, according to the N&O.
Charlotte bus driver accused of giving students COVID tests
A Charlotte-area bus driver is accused of giving students money to test them for COVID-19.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools suspended the driver before she was fired. The driver was also arrested after officials in a warrant said she swabbed the insides of middle schoolers’ cheeks on Feb. 15.
The bus driver also was an employee of the National Institute of Molecular Diagnostics, which didn’t immediately respond to The Charlotte Observer’s requests for comment on April 6.
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 2:53 PM with the headline "Coronavirus updates for April 13: Here’s what to know in North Carolina this week."
