COVID-19 Situation Update: May 4 | Eastern North Carolina Now

    News Releases:

    Weekly COVID-19 NC Update:

• Increase in wastewater monitoring and ER visits for COVID-19 symptoms from last week
• Increase in reported cases and hospital admissions from last week
• Low or medium levels of community risk in all counties
• Most sequenced cases are Omicron BA. 2

    Weekly COVID-19 NC Vaccine Update:

• 53% Vaccinated Population with at Least One Booster/Additional Dose
• 76% Adult Population Vaccinated with at Least One Dose
• 38% Children and Teens Vaccinated with at Least One Dose

    More information: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard

    Weekly Update:

• More timely access to death certificate data through a new electronic reporting system is giving North Carolinians a more comprehensive picture of COVID-19-related deaths, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced.
• Governor Roy Cooper and state health officials are encouraging North Carolinians to seek treatment quickly if they get sick with COVID-19. FDA authorized treatments that can lower the risk of hospitalization and death are widely available.

    COVID-19 Vaccinations:

• A free COVID-19 vaccine is available to all who want it. Vaccination is open to everyone 5 and older. Visit MySpot.nc.gov to find a location.
• To strengthen and extend protections against COVID-19, boosters are now available to all North Carolinians 12 and older. If you are eligible, you should get a booster now.
• You should get a booster if:
• You are 12 or older, and
• You received your second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine at least five months ago, or
• You received your Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.
• You can now get a second booster if:
• You are 50 or older and got your first booster shot at least four months ago, or
• You are 12 or older and have a compromised immune system, and got your first booster at least four months ago, or
• You who received a total of two shots of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least four months ago.
• To learn more about boosters and to find a spot to take your shot, go here.
• For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines, visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov or call the COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center for free at 1-888-675-4567.

    COVID-19 Testing & Treatment:

• It has never been easier or faster to get tested. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or think you may have COVID-19, you should get tested.
• To find a testing site near you, visit ncdhhs.gov/GetTested. For an up-to-date list of no-cost community testing events, visit the No-Cost Testing Events webpage. Additionally, all North Carolinians can request a free at-home COVID-19 testing kit.
• COVID-19 treatments are available and can lower your risk of hospitalization or death. But treatments must be given as soon as you feel sick and can only be prescribed by a medical professional. Have symptoms? Don't wait:
• Find a test-to-treat location to get treatment started ASAP
• Talk to your doctor about treatment
• Or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 888-720-7489). The call center can help if you do not have a health care provider and is available in 150 languages.
• Treatments are not a substitute for vaccination. Vaccines continue to offer the best protection against COVID-19.

    ICYMI:

• NCDHHS recently hosted a live Cafecito and Spanish language tele-town hall to discuss COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

   

    For a full list of the department's videos on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, visit the NCDHHS YouTube Channel. Videos can also be downloaded for use on the NCDHHS Vimeo Channel.

   

    For more information and updates on COVID-19, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov and nc.gov/covid19. Those with COVID-19 vaccine questions can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center at 1-888-675-4567, or visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov.


   Contact:
   North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
    Email: news@dhhs.nc.gov  •  Phone: (919) 855-4840