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
(1/31 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 757,526 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 4,899 from the day before. 2,782 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 101 from the day before. 9,335 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 48 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 39,028 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 626 deaths, an increase of 246 cases and 0 deaths from the day before.
(1/30 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 752,627 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 6,168 from the day before. 2,883 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 165 from the day before. 9,287 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 130 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 38,782 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 626 deaths, an increase of 419 cases and 6 deaths from the day before.
(1/29 12:45 p.m.) Buncombe County is temporarily closing the Black Mountain Library following a possible COVID-19 exposure there. The closure will allow for staff testing and additional cleaning according to a press release. A timetable for when the library may reopen wasn't immediately provided.
(1/29 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 746,459 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 6,959 from the day before. 3,048 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 190 from the day before. 9,157 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 38,363 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 620 deaths, an increase of 317 cases and 27 deaths from the day before.
(1/28 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 739,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 6,490 from the day before. 3,238 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 67 from the day before. 9,046 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 131 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 38,046 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 593 deaths, an increase of 311 cases and 13 deaths from the day before.
(1/27 3 p.m.) Governor Roy Cooper announced he is extending the state's modified stay at home order until Feb. 28. "While it's good to see our numbers are decreasing and stabilizing, they remain too high," Cooper said during Wednesday's coronavirus task force briefing. "We need to keep up our efforts to slow the spread of the virus." The executive order requires all North Carolina residents to continue to wear masks in public, imposes restrictions on mass gatherings and capacity at businesses, as well as a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. The governor also announced he is extending the moratorium on evictions and the order allowing to-go and delivery sales for mixed beverages.
(1/27 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 733,010 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 5,587 from the day before. 3,305 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 63 from the day before. 8,915 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 37,735 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 580 deaths, an increase of 290 cases and 13 deaths from the day before.
(1/27 12:15 p.m.) Because of expected inclement weather overnight, Buncombe County will be opening its COVID-19 vaccination sites Thursday later than normal. The sites at A-B Tech and A-C Reynolds High School will open at 10 a.m. Thursday. Anyone who’s appointment was scheduled before 10 should show up at 10, and anyone who’s appointment was scheduled for after that will be unaffected.
(1/26 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 727,423 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 3,978 from the day before. 3,368 people are currently hospitalized, an increase of 81 from the day before. 8,776 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 56 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 37,445 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 567 deaths, an increase of 245 cases and 0 deaths from the day before.
(1/26 11:00 a.m.) Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Brownie Newman signed a new emergency declaration Tuesday morning that put the county's indoor dining capacity limits in-line with state regulations. That means restaurants can now have up to 50% capacity for indoor dining. In December, Newman signed an order that gave Buncombe County tighter capacity limits than what the state allowed at 30%, saying it was necessary to stem an increase of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations expected around Christmas and New Year's holidays.
(1/25 3:30 p.m.) Buncombe County Health & Human Services and the YMCA of Asheville and WNC are holding a virtual town hall this Wednesday evening January 25th at 5:30 that will focus on 'the historical and lived experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.' It will be broadcast on the county's Facebook page, which can be found by clicking here. A Spanish language translation of the event can be watched here. “Equity begins with trust,” said Zo Mpofu, Coordinator for the Buncombe County Community Health Improvement Process, in a statement. “Understanding root causes of health disparities is at the core of our transformation work and is central to improving health for all.” More information on the town hall can be found here.
(1/25 12:30 p.m.) North Carolina has reported 723,445 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 4,633 from the day before. 3,287 people are currently hospitalized, a decrease of 16 from the day before. 8,720 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 25 from the day before. In the 13 North Carolina counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 37,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 567 deaths, an increase of 204 cases and 1 death from the day before.