COVID-19 Situation Update: March 18

Published: Friday, March 19th, 2021 @ 10:33 am
By: Stan Deatherage ( More Entries )

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Press Release:

Daily Update:

In a new PSA released today by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina NCAA men's and women's basketball coaches have come together to urge everyone to take their shot against COVID-19. They talk about why they personally chose to get vaccinated and how that helps to protect others. Read more HERE.
Governor Roy Cooper and NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. gave an update on the state's current data, trends and vaccination progress. Yesterday also marked the opening of vaccine eligibility for people who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk for severe illness or who live in certain congregate settings. Read more HERE.

COVID-19 Testing:

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested. If you are sick, use the Check My Symptoms tool to help you determine if you need a COVID-19 test. People who do not have symptoms but may have been exposed to COVID-19 should also get tested, especially people from historically marginalized communities, including Latinx/Hispanic, Black/African American and American Indian Populations, who have been disproportionately affected by the virus.
North Carolina has upcoming testing events scheduled in Alamance, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Dare, Davidson, Davie, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Johnston, Lenoir, Lincoln, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pitt, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Surry, Vance, Wake, Watauga, Wayne, Wilson, Yadkin and Yancey counties. For an up-to-date list of events, visit the Community Testing Events webpage. Many events offer testing at no cost. For more details about a specific event, call ahead before you go for a test.
North Carolina COVID-19 testing is also provided at some local health departments, doctor and clinician offices, hospitals and clinics, many pharmacy sites and retail outlets, and other community locations. Some people who work in long-term care facilities and other high-risk settings may be tested through their work. You can find testing sites by using the Find My Testing Place tool online.

ICYMI:

North Carolina native and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty received his COVID-19 vaccine this month. In a public service announcement released by NCDHHS, Petty, 83, shares his reasons for getting vaccinated and urges others to find their spot and take their shot. Read more HERE.
NCDHHS has updated its visitation guidance for long-term care facilities to allow for in-person, indoor or outdoor, visitation in most circumstances. The change aligns with new guidance released last week from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reflects rapidly improving trends in long-term care facilities. Read more HERE.

NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2001
Ph: (919) 855-4840
news@dhhs.nc.gov

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North Carolina NCAA Basketball Coaches on COVID-19 Vaccines: “You Have a Spot. Take Your Shot.”

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