COVID-19 Situation Update: July 27 | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Releases:

    Weekly COVID-19 NC Update:

• Decrease in wastewater monitoring and slight increase in ER visits for COVID-19 symptoms from last week
• Increase in reported cases and hospital admissions from last week
• High level of community risk in 50 counties, low or medium levels of community risk in remaining counties
• Most sequenced cases are Omicron BA.5

    Weekly COVID-19 NC Vaccine Update:

• 59% Vaccinated Population with at Least One Booster/Additional Dose
• 77% Adult Population Vaccinated with at Least One Dose
• 29% Children and Teens (Ages 6 Months to 17 Years) Vaccinated with at Least One Dose

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

    Weekly Update:

• The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has begun issuing Pandemic-EBT benefits for summer 2022. Between July 20 and 30, the families of approximately 948,000 children in the state will each receive a one-time payment of $391 to purchase healthy meals during summer break.
• The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine can be used as an additional vaccine option for adults ages 18 years and older.

    COVID-19 Vaccinations & Boosters:

• A free COVID-19 vaccine is available to all who want it. Vaccination is open to everyone 6 months 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 5 and older. If you are eligible, you should get a booster now.
• 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:

• As key COVID-19 metrics increase in North Carolina and the U.S. due to the BA.5 variant, Governor Roy Cooper reminded North Carolinians to stay prepared by being up to date on vaccines and boosters, having a supply of tests and seeking treatment if they test positive.

   

    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