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6.30 p.m.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported the first identification of the B.1.351 variant of COVID-19, a variant detected for the first time in South Africa, in a resident of North Carolina.
The B.1.351 variant was detected in South Africa in October and in the United States in January.
The case of North Carolina variant B.1.351 was identified in a sample from an adult in the central part of the state who had not recently traveled, according to the NCDHHS.
The sample was tested by LabCorp and selected for sequencing through a partnership with CDC.
North Carolina is the fourth state to report an identified case of this variant. As of February 9, nine cases of variant infection have been identified in residents of South Carolina, Maryland and Virginia.
Viruses are changing all the time and the NCDHHS has said it expects to see new variants of COVID-19 in the state as the pandemic continues.
The data suggests that this variant may be more contagious than other variants but does not suggest that it causes more serious disease. Current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective against this variant and other newer variants.
“Although we have anticipated the arrival of the B.1.351 variant in NC, it reminds us that the fight against COVID-19 is not over. The emergence of more infectious variants means that it is more important than never do what we know. Slow the spread – wear a mask, wash your hands, wait five feet and get vaccinated when it’s your turn, “said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, MD
1:10 p.m.
NC House passed Senate Bill 37, which requires school districts to offer an in-person learning option for this school year.
The measure, which passed by 74 to 44 votes, is now sent back to the Senate for a vote of approval.
If passed there, the bill will go to Governor Roy Cooper’s office for approval or veto.
Senate Bill 37 allows students to pursue distance learning if they wish.
Rep. Jeffrey Elmore, R-Wilkes, a public school teacher and co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said the legislation provides families with certainty in education and economic planning.
“Currently our students are subjected to changes in executive orders and conflicting messages from the administration which have created confusion and caused local delays, making it very difficult for parents to plan their work and their education. children, ”Elmore said Thursday. “This legislation gives North Carolina families certainty and access to classrooms by combining more than $ 1 billion in new education funding with local decision-making to implement a return to in-person learning now. “
House Speaker Tim Moore R-Cleveland said current restrictions preventing students from leaving the classroom force parents to take time off work or seek educational alternatives, and the legislation gives school systems the flexibility to adjust student assignments for in-person learning.
“School closures have weighed on North Carolina families economically as young people fall behind in their education, which has a devastating impact on student outcomes and exacerbates socio-economic disparities,” Moore said Thursday. “We listen to educators, healthcare experts, parents and, most importantly, our students, who have the constitutional right to access educational communities that meet their academic needs.
11:40 a.m.
The daily percentage positive COVID-19 rate continued its sharp drop with metrics updated Thursday.
The rate had been among teens as recently as last week, but Thursday’s report showed the rate at 5.9%. The state’s objective, which it has not reached since autumn 2020, is to be below 5%.
State measures showed 113 additional new deaths from the virus, bringing the total number to 10,294.
One hundred and six people less have reportedly been hospitalized for the virus.
For a full breakdown of Thursday’s stats, you can click here.
THURSDAY MORNING HEADS
The PNC Arena parking lot opens Thursday as the first mass COVID-19 vaccination site in Raleigh.
However, you won’t be able to just show up and get the shot. The vaccine supply remains extremely limited; this is why you must have an appointment to get vaccinated at the PNC Arena for now.
The slots are all full for today and Saturday. However, you can join the waiting list – if you are a healthcare worker or if you are over 65. At this point, this waiting list would number more than 90,000 people.
To do this, go to COVID19.wakegov.com or call 919-250-1515.
Officials said they hoped to vaccinate 2,100 people at PNC Arena on Thursday. The goal of the site is to continue to function regularly, but of course it all depends on the number of doses of vaccine the area receives.
Tomorrow, Walgreens will join the race to vaccinate in North Carolina. In particular, the pharmacy sends 31,000 doses of the vaccine to 300 stores in North Carolina.
Walgreens also does not accept walk-in tours. You must make an appointment on its website.
You can also see reports that CVS is also opening reservations for appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine. However, CVS is yet to strike a blow in North Carolina.
WEDNESDAY
4:30 p.m.
East Carolina University said it has temporarily suspended all activities with its men’s basketball program starting Wednesday due to “testing positive, contact tracing and subsequent quarantine of individuals at the within the program “.
ECU said the Pirates’ next two games, at Temple on Thursday and at home against Temple on Saturday, have been postponed.
3:26 p.m.
The Wayne County Department of Health said it had administered 5,448 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and had 12,259 names on its waiting list.
Next week, Wayne County will schedule second dose injections for those who received their first dose at the Maxwell Center in January.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Wayne County, click here.
2:20 p.m.
The Halifax County Health Department is reporting 21 new cases for a total of 4,793 COVID 19 positive cases. Two additional deaths have been reported. In all, 88 people have died across the county from COVID-19.
2:00 p.m.
As of February 24, the State expand vaccine eligibility to group 3, starting with educators and school staff and then moving to other staff in Group 3 on March 10, Governor Roy Cooper said on Wednesday afternoon.
The Group 3 priority will include teachers, principals, educators, bus drivers and others who work in and around school systems, Cooper said. This group comprises around 240,000 people, added the governor.
“I am grateful to all of our educators and school staff for going above and beyond in this pandemic to care for the children and help them keep learning,” Cooper said. “Starting with a smaller number of core group 3 workers helps providers streamline vaccine distribution effectively and efficiently.”
Because vaccine supply continues to be limited and Group 3 numbers are so large, the vaccination plan will move forward in stages, NCDHHS Secretary Dr Mandy Cohen said.
“Educators in North Carolina public schools are eager to return to their classrooms as soon as it is safe to do so, and Governor Cooper’s announcement today is an important step forward in making this happen. a possibility, ”said NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly. “By prioritizing all educators, including bus drivers, maintenance workers, nutrition workers and those who work directly in the classroom, we can resume in-person teaching faster and safely. overwhelming message from educators, parents and the community that educators need immunization priority.
12 h 00
North Carolina is now reporting 3,833 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 805,898.
There have been 10,181 deaths in North Carolina from the virus. That’s 135 more than Tuesday.
With 96 percent of hospitals reporting, 2,291 are hospitalized for COVID-19 across North Carolina. This is a decrease of 83 from Tuesday.
461 intensive care beds and 5,036 hospital beds are currently empty, the NCDHHS said.
The state reports a positive test rate of 7.9%. That’s down from 9.3% on Tuesday.
10:30
Governor Cooper signed the amended COVID-19 relief bill for 2020.
“This pandemic continues to strain communities in our state, and this investment of federal funds in critical areas will help us defeat COVID-19 and rebuild a stronger and more resilient North Carolina,” said the Governor Cooper on Senate Bill 36.
WEDNESDAY MORNING HEADS
Governor Roy Cooper is expected to give his second COVID-19 update in as many days.
Cooper will be joined at 2 p.m. by the state’s coronavirus task force. You can watch the update live at this URL or on the ABC11 North Carolina app.
Families in the Wake County public school system are preparing to return to class on Monday. The district would like to remind parents that they need to fill out a few forms before their children return.
The student responsibility and required health protocols signature page should be completed by all. In addition, if your student is going to take the bus, this form must be completed.
Also in Wake County, changes are coming in food distribution services. Seven curbside meal distribution locations will end after Friday, February 12. Click here for a complete list of these seven locations.
WCPSS said that despite the closure of these institutions, meals will continue to be free for all students until June 2021.
Race to vaccinate
A drive-through clinic opens in Johnston County at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The clinic is located at North Johnston High School on US-301. This is only for people who need their first dose of the vaccine.
There is no registration for this clinic. Vaccines will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
In Fayetteville, at the Crown Complex, the first and second doses of the vaccine will be distributed from 9 a.m.
People with appointments will be vaccinated between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. After 3 p.m., workers will give the remaining doses to people on a first come, first served basis.
Both vaccination sites still adhere to state restrictions on who can be vaccinated – meaning only healthcare workers and people over 65 are eligible.
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