"This pandemic continues to strain communities across our state, and this investment of federal funds in critical areas will help us defeat COVID-19 and build back a stronger and more resilient North Carolina."
All in Coronavirus
General Assembly approves billions in COVID aid but Cooper wants more
The N.C. General Assembly passed a bill Thursday, Feb. 4, that provides more than $2 billion in COVID aid across the state, most of it to public schools. The bill now heads to Gov. Roy Cooper, who held a press conference Thursday calling for hundreds of millions in more spending.
NC State Veteran's Home received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
At the North Carolina State Veteran’s Home (NCSVH) in Kinston, 72 veterans and 42 employees received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. PruitHealth did not make it mandatory for their staff to take the vaccine but did offer incentives to those who did.
North Carolina Extends Modified Stay At Home Order as Numbers Begin to Stabilize in an Effort to Continue to Slow the Spread
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen today announced that North Carolina’s Modified Stay At Home Order, requiring people to be at home from 10 pm – 5 am, will be extended.
Updates for COVID vaccine distribution for Greene, Lenoir, and Jones County
Recent reports stated that local hospitals and health departments are canceling thousands of COVID-19 vaccine appointments across the state of NC.
Mike Parker: COVID has taken a serious toll on K-12 students
The wife of one of my former students wrote these words recently:
“I am not one to usually post things like this BUT having to sit here this morning and comfort my girl as I watch tears roll down her cheeks over virtual schooling is NOT okay… her exact words: ‘I just want to be back in school mommy, how long is this going to last?’
NCDHHS Reports First Identified Case of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 Variant in NC
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first identification in a North Carolina resident of the COVID-19 variant called B.1.1.7, which was first detected in the United Kingdom in December. The B.1.1.7 variant was identified in a sample from an adult in Mecklenburg County processed by Mako Medical Laboratories. To protect the privacy of the individual, no further information will be released.
St. Mary’s Bell Tolls for COVID Remembrance
At 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kinston tolled the bell for Americans who have died from COVID-19. Everette Haddad, Boy Scout 2nd class and member of Troop 41, pulled the thick rope of St. Mary’s bell 40 times, once for each 10,000 COVID-19 deaths.
UPDATED INFO - Lenoir County announces new COVID-19 information
With the first week of COVID-19 vaccinations wrapped up at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena, the Lenoir County Health Department (LCHD) has a few pieces of information it would like to share with our county’s residents.
Lenoir County announces six deaths related to COVID-19
The Lenoir County Health Department is reporting six additional deaths since January 5th in the county of residents who had tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number to 86.
UNC Lenoir begins vaccinating patients 75+
UNC Physician’s Network began providing COVID-19 vaccinations to patients age 75 and older (Phase 1b, Group 1) on Monday at Covid Vaccine Clinic at 204 Airport Road, Kinston, NC.
Lenoir, Greene, and Jones County COVID-19 vaccine information
Local areas counties released information on how their residents can register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Lenoir and Greene County are in Phase 1B and Jones County is in Phase 1A. Here's what to expect and a link to know which group impacts you.
Lenoir County announces COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan
The Lenoir County Health Department is set to begin Phase 1-B of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution to county residents next week, Monday through Friday, Jan. 11-15. The vaccinations will take place at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena, 1791 N.C. 55, Kinston. Residents must have an appointment to receive a vaccination.
Governor Cooper Extends Modified Stay At Home Order Amid Rising Case Counts
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen shared an update today on North Carolina’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and support the vaccination effort currently underway.
Governor extends North Carolina evictions moratorium
Today, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 184, extending North Carolina’s evictions moratorium through January 31, 2021. Research shows that eviction moratoriums help prevent the spread of COVID-19. States that let their eviction moratoriums lapse saw a COVID-19 incidence rate that was 1.6 times higher than states that kept a moratorium in place.
Governor Cooper grants Santa an exemption from Modified Stay at Home Order
Today, Governor Roy Cooper shared an important COVID-19 update for Christmas. Santa Claus is exempt from the Modified Stay at Home Order and will be able to carry out his delivery duties on Christmas Eve.
Governor Cooper gives COVID-19 county alert update, calls on North Carolinians to stay vigilant this Holiday season
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and Secretary of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen shared updates on the COVID-19 County Alert System, warning that more than 90 percent of North Carolina counties are now designated as red or orange.
First COVID-19 vaccine doses given at UNC Lenoir
UNC Lenoir distributed the first six doses of the COVID-19 on Thursday after receiving a shipment of 975 doses. Following the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, the first round of vaccine doses are for 1 A employees to include frontline employees who take care of patients with COVID-19. At UNC Lenoir, there are 901 frontline employees who were offered the vaccine. The hospital is not requiring its healthcare workers to take the vaccine.
Local officials respond to Cooper's request for civil penalties
“What the governor is seeking to do is conniving and dangerous to everyone in the state who cherishes their freedoms and balance of government,” said Lenoir County Commissioner Eric Rouse. “Under the veil of public health, he is trying to expand his powers into areas of government that he would not otherwise be permitted to or have authority over.”
“We will be following the order for sure and talking to individuals that could be in violation. We will be warning individuals who are not following the order and if they continue, we will follow up with the enforcement action. Everyone must do their part,” said City of Kinston Mayor Don Hardy.
Governor Cooper urges cities and counties to levy covid-19 penalties
On Friday, Governor Roy Cooper, Secretary Mandy K. Cohen and Secretary Erik Hooks wrote a letter to local elected officials imploring them to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in their communities by considering additional enforcement measures.