Looking for information about where to get vaccinated near you? North Carolina Health News has a comprehensive listing of county vaccines sites, which will be updated often. Find it here.
Need a ride? NCDOT and NCDHHS have distributed funding to help pay for transportation. Check with your local transit agency for more details. You can find your agency online NC_public_transit.pdfOpen PDF (ncdot.gov).
(1/24 4 p.m.) State health officials are reporting the first case in North Carolina of a more contagious strain of the coronavirus that was first detected in the United Kingdom in December. A statement released Saturday explained that the B.1.1.7 variant was identified in a sample from an adult in Mecklenburg County. No other details have been released. As of Friday almost 200 cases of B.1.1.7 had been reported in 21 states. Early data suggest that the variant may be more contagious than other variants of the virus, but that the current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective.
(1/24 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 718,812 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 6,096 from the day before. 3,303 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 113 from the day before. 8,695 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 109 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 36,996 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 566 deaths, an increase of 356 cases and 9 deaths from the day before.
(1/23 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 712,716 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 7,181 from the day before. 3,416 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 96 from the day before. 8,586 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 122 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 36,640 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 557 deaths, an increase of 362 cases and 2 deaths from the day before.
(1/22 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 705,535 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 7,436 from the day before. 3,512 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 154 from the day before. 8,464 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 125 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 36,278 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 555 deaths, an increase of 382 cases and 7 deaths from the day before.
(1/21 2 p.m.) Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) has launched a COVID-19 wait list for individuals in the first two phases of the state’s vaccination priority list: adults 65 and older and all health care workers. Individuals can sign up for the wait list by calling 828-250-5000 or by going to www.buncombeready.org. As vaccines are received from the state, representatives from the Ready Team will contact individuals on the wait list via phone and email to schedule their appointments. This is a different process from scheduling appointments to date, and BCHHS will no longer open up appointments for direct scheduling by the public.
(1/21 2 p.m.) Need a ride to the vaccine site? The NC Department of Transportation and the NC Department of Health and Human Services announced that approximately $2.5 million in Coronavirus Relief Funding is being distributed to local transit agenciesOpen PDF to help pay for transportation. People who need transportation assistance should reach out to their local transit agency. You can find your local transit agency online at NC_public_transit.pdfOpen PDF (ncdot.gov). Local transit agencies serve all 100 North Carolina counties.
(1/21 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 698,099 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 7,187 from the day before. 3,666 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 76 from the day before. 8,339 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 139 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 35,896 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 548 deaths, an increase of 280 cases and 4 deaths from the day before.
(1/20 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 690,912 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 6,415 from the day before. 3,740 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 131 from the day before. 8,200 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 61 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 35,616 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 544 deaths, an increase of 453 cases and 6 deaths from the day before.
(1/19 12:30 p.m.) ***Due to the MLK Holiday, the state of North Carolina did not provide a daily update on Monday 1/18*** North Carolina has reported 684,497 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 9,860 from Sunday. 3,881 people are currently hospitalized, an increase of 19 from Sunday. 8,139 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 56 from Sunday. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 35,163 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 538 deaths, an increase of 382 cases and 9 deaths from Sunday.