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WNC COVID-19 Updates: Week Of Mar. 8

Courtesy of Jackson County Public Health
First responders receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Jackson County.

Do you have a question about the COVID vaccine?  We want to hear from you!  Record your question as a voice memo on your cell phone and email us at voices@bpr.org or use the "talk to us" feature on the free BPR mobile app

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

(3/12 1:00 p.m.)  North Carolina has reported 881,823 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 1,998 cases from the day before.  1,037 are currently hospitalized statewide, a decrease of 2 from the day before.  11,663 have died of COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 41 from the day before.  In the 13 North Carolina Counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 45,762 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 804 deaths. That's an increase of 105 confirmed cases and 1 death since yesterday. 

(3/11 12:30 p.m.)  North Carolina has reported 879,825 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 2,061 cases from the day before.  1,039 are currently hospitalized statewide, a decrease of 46 from the day before.  11,622 have died of COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 27 from the day before.  In the 13 North Carolina Counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 45,657 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 803 deaths. That's an increase of 100 confirmed cases and 0 deaths since yesterday. 

(3/10 2:30 p.m.)  North Carolina has reported 877,764 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 1,861 cases from the day before.  1,075 are currently hospitalized statewide, a decrease of 72 from the day before.  11,595 have died of COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 43 from the day before.  In the 13 North Carolina Counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 45,557 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 803 deaths. That's an increase of 97 confirmed cases and 0 deaths since yesterday. 

(3/9 2:30 p.m.)  North Carolina has reported 875,903 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 997 cases from the day before.  1,147 are currently hospitalized statewide, an increase of 21 from the day before.  11,552 have died of COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 17 from the day before.  In the 13 North Carolina Counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 45,462 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 803 deaths. That's an increase of 54 confirmed cases and 2 deaths since yesterday. 

(3/8 5 p.m.)  Appointments are available at the federally-supported COVID-19 Vaccination Center in Greensboro  for people in Groups 1, 2 and 3.  Appointments for the site at the Four Seasons town Centre can be made online at GSOmassvax.org or by calling 1-888-675-4567. The federal vaccine site is opening on Wednesday(3/10) and will be open 7-days a week.  Officials say they expect to immunize as many as 3,000 people a day.

(3/8 4 p.m.)  Western Carolina University will hold modified, in-person commencement activities in spring for the class of 2021.  According to a statement by Western, the events will take place the weekend of May 14 -16.   Graduates will be allowed two guests and face coverings will be required for all.   This decision comes after Chancellor Kelli Brown announced that the university is planning to resume on-campus academic schedule in August that is "as normal as possible." UNC Chapel Hill is also holding in person spring commencement ceremonies with similar restrictions. 

(3/8 3 p.m.)North Carolina is reporting 1,228 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total since the pandemic began to  874,906.   The rate of positive virus tests has also been under the state's 5% target for five straight days.  Health officials say 1,126 people are hospitalized.  11, 535 have died from COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 89 over the weekend.  IIn the 13 North Carolina Counties in Blue Ridge Public Radio's listening area, there are 45,408  confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 801 deaths.