COVID-19 Updates

May 2021

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is launching a new public campaign encouraging North Carolinians to "Vax Up or Mask Up” to support the new guidance that lifts many of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.

Monday, May 24, 2021

• As part of a pilot project to get more North Carolinians vaccinated, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is offering $25 cash cards to adults in Mecklenburg, Guilford, Rowan and Rockingham counties who are getting their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. The program, which aims to offset the time and transportation costs of getting vaccinated, runs May 26 to June 8 and applies only at participating locations while supplies last.

• Gov. Roy Cooper has directed $51.4 million in new funding to help students access and complete post-secondary education as North Carolina recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately $44 million will help students access college and earn degrees starting this fall; $5 million will support mental health initiatives across state post-secondary institutions; and $2.4 million will fund equity-focused initiatives for K-12 and post-secondary students and families.

Friday, May 21, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order requiring existing claimants of unemployment benefits to fulfill work search requirements, beginning June 6, 2021. The order also directs the N.C. Department of Commerce to explore opportunities to establish a re-employment incentive program for jobless workers who find and maintain employment.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper announced his recommendations for how North Carolina can most effectively invest $5.7 billion in federal COVID-19 American Rescue Plan funding. Recommendations include assisting families most impacted by the pandemic, upgrading infrastructure, helping more people get a degree or trade after high school, preparing the state’s workforce and promoting business development and innovation. "This pandemic brought us a once-in-a-generation challenge, and these funds have brought us a once-in-a-generation opportunity," Cooper said. "North Carolina’s funding from the American Rescue Plan positions our state for a shared recovery and allows us to create a North Carolina that works for all."

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced the expansion of the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program to provide benefits to eligible children under the age of 6 who are in households receiving Food and Nutrition Services. This expansion will provide benefits to families with young children and infants who need extra help buying food.

Friday, May 14, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order immediately lifting all mandatory capacity and gathering limits as well as social distancing requirements. Additionally, Executive Order 215 lifts mandatory mask requirements for most indoor and outdoor settings. Face coverings, however, are still required in some settings, such as public transportation, child care, schools, prisons and certain public health settings.

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized the use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12 through 15, clearing the way for North Carolina teens ages 12 and older to be vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. 

Thursday, May 6, 2021

• More than 50% of adults 18 and older in North Carolina have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported. More than 43% of the adult population is fully vaccinated against the virus.

• To date, the state has administered more than 7.4 million vaccines. More than 74% of the population over 65 years of age is fully vaccinated, and nearly 40% of the total population of the state, regardless of age, has received at least one dose.

April 2021

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order, effective 5 p.m. Friday, April 30, that lifts the state's outdoor face mask requirement and increases indoor and outdoor mass gathering limits to 100 and 200 respectively. Executive Order 209 continues to require face masks in indoor public settings as well as strong safety requirements concerning social distancing and capacity limits.

• Echoing his statement last week, the governor said at a news conference that he anticipates lifting by June 1 mass gathering, social distancing and mandatory capacity restrictions. He also said he still plans to lift the state's mask mandate completely once at least two-thirds of all adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Monday, April 26, 2021

• In his third State of the State address, Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday, highlighted North Carolinians’ resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforced the need for legislators to work together to help the state rebuild from the pandemic even stronger by expanding Medicaid, raising teacher pay, investing in work force training and solidifying the state’s infrastructure. “I believe that North Carolina is strong, resilient and ready to face the challenges of the future,” he said. “I believe that we will rebuild from this pandemic to be even stronger than before. And I believe that we can roar into the future together, creating a shared recovery that ensures our best days lie ahead.”

Friday, April 24, 2021

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is recommending that providers in the state resume administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine now that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have reaffirmed its safety.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

• With stable trends and continued vaccination success, Gov. Roy Cooper laid out a timeline for lifting mandatory social distancing, capacity and mass gathering restrictions by June 1. The governor plans to issue an executive order next week outlining safety restrictions for May.

• North Carolina has administered more than 6.5 million vaccines – 46.9% of adults are at least partially vaccinated, and 35.1% are fully vaccinated. More than 76% of people 65 and older have had at least one shot.
• With vaccine now widely available across the state – often with no wait for an appointment – all North Carolinians 16 and older can plan to be vaccinated. The state anticipates lifting the mask mandate and easing other public health recommendations, once two-thirds of North Carolina adults have received at least one vaccine dose and if trends remain stable.
• State health officials are continuing to monitor the presence of COVID-19 and its more contagious variants in North Carolina, which is why it is important to continue to follow the state’s mask mandate and continue to practice safety precautions, including the 3Ws –wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart and wash hands often.

Monday, April 19, 2021

• Although appointments are encouraged and available online at GSOmassvax.org or by phone at 888-675-4567, walk-in and drive-up vaccines are now available without appointment at the federally supported COVID-19 vaccination center in Greensboro. Since opening March 10, more than 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

• The vaccination clinic at Four Seasons Town Centre, which will remain open until May 27, has been successful in reaching underserved communities, with more than 22% having gone to Black or African-American individuals (who make up 23% of North Carolina’s population) and more than 15% to people from Hispanic/LatinX communities (who make up nealry 10% of the state’s population).

Friday, April 16, 2021

• The latest data from North Carolina's COVID-19 County Alert System shows one red county — an increase from zero on April 1 — 20 orange counties (previously 21), 48 yellow counties (previously 47), 30 light yellow counties (previously 31) and one green county (previously one). These updates account for 18 counties having moved up a tier (toward red) since the last report, 19 counties having moved down a tier (toward green) and 63 counties remaining in the same tier.

• North Carolina’s key metrics show a leveling of COVID-19 trends after several weeks of decline. Although levels are far below the post-holiday peak in January, most of the state continues to experience significant or substantial community spread with concerning increases in younger adult age groups.

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced it is pausing the administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. "Our primary concern is the health and safety of all North Carolinians," officials said in a statement, adding that the safety system in place "is working as it should."

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper joined bipartisan legislative leaders to release a PSA urging North Carolinians to get COVID-19 vaccines now that all adults are eligible for vaccinations. The Governor joined House Speaker Tim Moore, Rep. Robert Reives, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and Senator Dan Blue in advocating for vaccinations. View the PSA.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

• Anyone 16 years and older who wants a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination is eligible to get one, beginning April 7.
• North Carolina continues to focus on distributing vaccines quickly and equitably. To date, the state has administered more than 5.2 million doses – 39% of those 18 and up is at least partially vaccinated, and 26% of those 18 and up have been fully vaccinated.

March 2021

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper extended three executive orders on evictions moratoriums, processing unemployment benefits and to-go cocktails that will continue to provide relief to families and economic support amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Executive Order 205 extends the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission’s authorization to permit the delivery or carry-out of mixed beverages as an alternative to on-site consumption through April 30, 2021.
• Executive Order 206 extends North Carolina’s statewide residential eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021, in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recent extension of the nationwide moratorium through the same date. 
• Executive Order 207 expedites the processing of unemployment insurance claims and is also effective through June 30, 2021.

Friday, March 26, 2021

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with Labcorp, is piloting a program to provide 35,000 no-cost, home test collection kits to North Carolinians receiving Food and Nutrition Services and/or are disabled and experiencing barriers to getting tested. Results are typically returned within 24 to 48 hours from the time the specimen is received at the lab.

Thursday, March 25, 2021

• Citing more supply than anticipated, Gov. Roy Cooper announced an accelerated timeline for all North Carolina adults to become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The remainder of Group 4 – who were previously eligible on April 7 – can begin receiving doses on March 31. Those in Group 5 will become eligible on April 7.

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper announced that the state will continue to ease some COVID-19 restrictions under Executive Order 204, which becomes effective March 26 at 5 p.m. The order keeps the state’s general mask mandate in place but fully lifts the 11 p.m. curfew for on-site service of alcohol, increases mass gathering limits and increases occupancy limits in museums and aquariums, retail businesses and shops, barbershops, salons, restaurants, breweries, gyms, bars, sports arenas and other public places.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

• Wednesday marked the opening of vaccine eligibility for people in Group 4 who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk for severe illness or who live in certain congregate settings.
• North Carolina continues to focus on distributing vaccines quickly and equitably. To date, the state has administered more than 3.4 million doses – 25.7% of those 18 and up is at least partially vaccinated and 16.5% of those 18 and up have been fully vaccinated.
• Gov. Cooper and Secretary Cohen also discussed state health officials’ ongoing efforts to monitor the presence of COVID-19 variants and stressed the importance of continuing with safety precautions across the state. Recent data shows an increase in these more contagious variants among those infected in North Carolina. People should continue to protect themselves and those around them by practicing the 3 Ws – wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart and wash hands often.

Friday, March 12, 2021

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is updating its visitation guidance for long-term care facilities to allow for in-person, indoor or outdoor, visitation in most circumstances. The change aligns with new guidance released from the U.S. Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and reflects rapidly improving trends in long-term care facilities.

Thursday, March 11, 2021

• Beginning March 17, people in Group 4 who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk of serious illness and people who live in certain congregate settings will be eligible for vaccination, Gov. Roy Cooper announced. The rest of Group 4, which includes other essential workers will become eligible April 7. The state was able to update its timeline based on provider feedback and expected supply. As with previous eligibility changes, some vaccine providers might not be ready to open to Group 4 on March 17 if they are still experiencing high demand for vaccines in Groups 1 through 3.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper visited the newly opened federally supported COVID-19 vaccination site operating for the next eight weeks out of the Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro. The site, which offers both drive-through and walk-in service, is operating seven days per week and providing up to 3,000 vaccinations per day. The federal government is providing the center’s vaccine supply, which is in addition to North Carolina’s weekly allotment from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has expanded its vaccine data dashboard to provide more demographic data on people who are partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Users will be able to see vaccinations by race, ethnicity, gender and age group by county, by week and since vaccinations began.
• Gov. Roy Cooper announced that 1.1. million people in North Carolina have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but that more work remains to provide vaccinations for the nearly 8 million adults in the state. "This is not the time to abandon our prevention efforts,” he said. “In fact, until the vaccine is widely available, preventing the spread of this virus must continue to be a focus."
• Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said that even though the percent of positive COVID-19 has been consistently around 5%, cases and hospitalization numbers remain elevated. “With the introduction of new variants of the COVID-19 virus that are more contagious, we need to safeguard our progress and keep protecting each other while we get everyone a spot to get their shot,” she said. “So, keep doing the three Ws for now – wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart and wash your hands.

Thursday, March 4, 2021

• New COVID-19 cases in North Carolina long-term care facilities have declined rapidly in the last several weeks. Case rates are down more than 15-fold in skilled nursing facilities, adult care homes and other licensed facilities since the peak of transmission in January 2021. Given the rapid decline in new cases, most facilities currently meet criteria to resume indoor visitation while continuing to follow infection prevention recommendations.
• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is expanding access to COVID-19 rapid testing in K-12 public schools to protect students, teachers and staff from COVID-19. When schools implement testing combined with the state's strong mitigation strategies, they can detect new cases to prevent outbreaks and reduce the risk of further transmission.

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

• K-12 schools are expected to open for in-person instruction for students following the StongSchoolsNC health guidance released by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Schools should only use remote learning options for higher-risk students and for families opting for remote learning for their children.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

• Frontline essential workers in Group 3 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination beginning Wednesday, March 3, Gov. Roy Cooper announced. The expedited timeline follows federal approval of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine and an expected increase in vaccine supply to North Carolina.
• Gov. Cooper also outlined an expected timeline for beginning Group 4 vaccinations. Beginning on March 24, people at higher risk from COVID-19, due to underlying medical conditions, will become eligible to receive a vaccine, as well as people in certain congregate-living settings.
• A federally supported community vaccination center will open in Greensboro on March 10 with options for drive-through service and walk-in service. The center will operate seven days a week with the capacity to provide up to 3,000 vaccinations per day.

Monday, March 1, 2021

• North Carolina is expected to receive this week more than 80,000 doses of the recently authorized Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine - a single-dose shot that does not require extreme cold storage. As a result, it can be more easily shipped, stored and administered, factors that will help to increase the number of vaccination sites and make them more accessible.
• Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 200 to increase efforts to help North Carolinians who file for unemployment benefits return to work. The order establishes a flexible work search requirement for all new claimants who apply for unemployment benefits on or after March 14, 2021. With the recent end of the Extended Benefits program for state unemployment under federal law, this step will ensure that out-of-work North Carolinians can access job seeking assistance available through NCWorks and other state-sponsored job search programs.

February 2021

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper announced that the state will carefully ease some of its COVID-19 restrictions under Executive Order 195, which takes effect 5 p.m. Feb. 26. Among the measures in Executive Order 195: the modified Stay at Home order is lifted and some indoor businesses – including bars and taverns, indoor amusement parks, movie theaters and indoor sports arenas – may open at 30% capacity (with a cap of 250 people). (View frequently asked questions.)

Monday, Feb. 22, 2021

• The latest update of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 County Alert System shows 27 red counties – a decrease from 61 since Feb. 4 – and the fewest red counties in the state since the start of the County Alert System. The update also lists 40 orange counties and 33 yellow counties — both changes from 33 orange counties and 6 yellow counties on Feb 4.

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021

• The federal government has notified the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services of continued delays in some shipments and deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine this week due to severe weather. Both first- and second-dose shipments have been affected. NCDHHS is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as vaccine providers to help minimize the potential effects of these delays.

• As of Feb. 18, 2021, North Carolina has administered almost two million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The state continues to make progress in equity of vaccine distribution. Last week, 23% of doses were administered to Black North Carolinians, up from just 13% five weeks ago.

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, on Feb. 19, will begin issuing additional benefits through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. These benefits will be received over several days for those who already have an EBT card for Food and Nutrition Services or P-EBT benefits.

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported the first identification of the COVID-19 variant B.1.351 in a North Carolina resident – an adult in the central part of the state who had not recently traveled. The B.1.351 variant was first detected in South Africa in October and in the United States in January. 
• North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services  participants can now purchase groceries online using their EBT cards through Instacart.com or the Instacart mobile app, providing access to an additional authorized online EBT retailer, Food Lion. This flexibility will allow participants to buy food while promoting social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and will help families with transportation and mobility barriers.

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021

• Gov. Roy Cooper and Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen outlined a timeline for Group 3 frontline workers becoming eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those working in child care and schools, such as teachers, bus and van drivers, custodial and maintenance staff, and food service workers, will be eligible on Feb. 24.

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021

• Among the strategies North Carolina is implementing to provide equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines:
  • Requiring all vaccine providers to collect race and ethnicity data. 
  • Pioritizing a portion of its weekly vaccines to events that focus on underserved communities 
  • Allocating a baseline weekly amount of vaccine based on county population to ensure geographic equity with vaccine available in all 100 counties. 
• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported that North Carolina has reached a sobering milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic – more than 10,000 North Carolinians have died from the virus. The state also surpassed 800,000 total cases. 

Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021

• Gov, Roy Cooper outlined a plan for allocating federal COVID-19 relief funds for immediate needs and investing state resources to help North Carolina communities build back as the state turns the corner on the pandemic. The plan also calls for investing some state resources for immediate critical needs. Read the full recommendation.

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021

• Top state education leaders joined Gov. Roy Cooper in calling on K-12 school districts across North Carolina to allow in-person instruction for all students. Increasing evidence suggests that, with prevention measures in place, there are low rates of COVID-19 transmission in primary and secondary school settings even with high rates of community transmission. In addition, ongoing medical studies and peer-reviewed data affirm that children infected with COVID-19 generally have mild or no symptoms and are less likely to spread the disease. 
• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has released new tools to help North Carolinians get their COVID-19 vaccine questions answered and to find vaccine locations in the state. Tools include the COVID-19 vaccine help center line, available by calling 888-675-4567 and the "Find a Vaccine Location" search tool. Last week, NCDHHS also launched "Find My Vaccine Group," an online tool to help people know when they will be eligible to get a vaccine.

Monday, Feb. 1, 2021

• North Carolina surpassed the 1 million mark of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across the state last Friday. This milestone capped a week when the state’s vaccine providers administered more than 99% of first doses. Beginning today, the state’s dashboard will be updated every weekday so North Carolinians can track the state’s administration of COVID-19 vaccines. The state’s dashboard is the source for the most accurate and timely information for vaccine data for North Carolina. 

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View an archive of remaining updates since January 2020.