Coronavirus updates for Aug. 18: Here’s what to know in North Carolina this week
.jpg "North Carolina reported more than 26,000 new COVID-19 cases.")
We’re tracking information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back every Thursday for updates.
26,000 new COVID cases reported
At least 26,094 new coronavirus cases were reported in North Carolina last week, down from 30,475 the week before, according to preliminary data from state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services also reported 1,317 new weekly COVID-19 hospital patient admissions, a drop from 1,354 the previous week, according to figures through Aug. 13, the most recent metrics available. The daily average of adult coronavirus patients in intensive care was 159, compared to 152 the week before.
The figures were released Wednesday, Aug. 17, more than four months after health officials started adjusting information on their coronavirus dashboard and publishing weekly COVID-19 data. The data had previously been released almost every day.
Roughly 77% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 73% are fully vaccinated. Of the state’s total population, about 63% are fully vaccinated and about 67% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination metrics to the nearest whole number.
More than 3.9 million “additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of Aug. 17, the health department said. Health officials have urged those who are eligible to get boosted, as data shows it offers increased protection against the omicron coronavirus variant.
Across the state, virtually all new COVID-19 cases were attributed to the omicron variant’s “lineages” in the two weeks leading up to Aug. 6, the latest time period for which data is available.
COVID outbreak impacts counseling in Mecklenburg jail
A Charlotte jail has a growing wait list for counseling services, and a recent coronavirus outbreak made the delays worse.
In Mecklenburg County, “officials have been forced to pause most of the jail’s substance abuse program, contributing to the waitlist growing to 45 days — longer than many people who need the help even spend in custody,” The Charlotte Observer reported on Aug. 18.
Even if counseling is paused, the Community Support Services department can continue to do assessments for people whose jail units aren’t under quarantine, according to Evelyn McGill of the substance use unit.
COVID policies remain in some Charlotte-area districts
As students return to schools, some Charlotte-area districts will continue to have coronavirus-related policies.
While Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools won’t require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the district encourages anyone eligible for a COVID-19 shot to get one. Children in the district will have to stay home if they receive positive test results or have symptoms, The Charlotte Observer reported on Aug. 17.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg and several other districts across the region won’t require face masks.
Read more about Charlotte-area school districts’ guidelines here.
NC town hall reopens after closing over COVID
After shutting its doors for several days over coronavirus-related staffing worries, a North Carolina town hall reopened.
The town of Pittsboro’s shutdown also had impacted its police department, The News & Observer reported.
The town hall closed on Aug. 9 and didn’t welcome the public back until more than a week later on Aug. 18.
“We thank you for your patience as we work through these challenges and look forward to resuming our normal levels of service soon,” spokesperson Colby Sawyer said.
Pittsboro is in Chatham County, which was among dozens of places in the state recently labeled as having high transmission for COVID-19.
COVID concerns contribute to departure of beloved fair booth
A beloved booth is leaving the North Carolina State Fair in part due to coronavirus-related staffing concerns.
First United Methodist Church of Cary and White Plains United Methodist Church won’t team up this year to dish out country ham biscuits, The News & Observer reported on Aug. 15.
“The reality is that for many members of both churches, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect their lives in many ways,” the Rev. Rob Phillips of White Plains wrote in an email. “After prayerful consideration it was determined that we simply did not have enough support from the members of both churches to staff the hundreds of volunteer hours that the fair booth entails.”
Before COVID-19, the booth required about 100 volunteers. Phillips said the churches would lack people even after scaling back their operation.
NC colleges ease COVID rules as students return
As the coronavirus continues to spread, Triangle-area colleges are easing pandemic-related rules for returning students.
While N.C. State and UNC-Chapel Hill won’t require face masks in most places and won’t track coronavirus cases on campus dashboards, they will provide testing and vaccine doses at no cost.
At Duke University, “surveillance” testing is optional for the fall semester, The News & Observer reported. But the school will still require face masks in classrooms, and people coming back to campus will need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccines and tests.
Also in the Triangle, N.C. Central University is encouraging people to wear masks, take tests and practice social distancing but not requiring those measures. The school will have isolation spaces and at-home testing kits, the N&O reported.
The school year starts as self-testing and vaccines are becoming more accessible. McKenzy Heavlin, president of the student body at N.C. State University, said students can make their own decisions while the school provides testing and other resources.
“I’m definitely holding my breath that it’s going to be a regular year,” Heavlin said. “I think a lot of people are.”
This story was originally published August 18, 2022 at 7:05 AM with the headline "Coronavirus updates for Aug. 18: Here’s what to know in North Carolina this week."
