The North Carolina 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.
All in Coronavirus
Local man credits relationship with God in his triumph over COVID
After a knee replacement in Las Vegas, Kinston resident Bob Dawson went back to the hospital after developing a cough. After being checked out, he was diagnosed with COVID-19. Within a few short weeks, Dawson was put on a ventilator and placed in a medically induced coma.
'We are still in a race against time with this virus'
Lenoir County has low community spread per the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services County Alert System map. “I think the vaccines have significantly contributed to the decline in the number of cases we are seeing in the population and in congregate living facilities,” said Pamela Brown, Director of Lenoir County Health Department. “A lot of this can be attributed to our community’s actions to fight against COVID-19,” said Beverly Jenkins, UNC Lenoir Health Care’s Director of Marketing and Medical Staff Development.
Josh Stein: Don’t fall for fake vaccine cards
More than 3 million North Carolinians are now fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. This is a remarkable step forward in our fight against the pandemic, and soon we can begin safely returning to our lives. But scammers have used the pandemic as an excuse to take advantage of people for the past year, and they’re still at it. The next fight against COVID-19 vaccine scams is stopping the spread and use of false vaccine cards.
NCDHHS pilots home testing program with Labcorp to increase access to testing
While vaccine supplies are limited, it is important North Carolinians continue practicing the 3Ws and get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms or have been in close contact to someone with COVID-19.
President Biden's stimulus bill allocated $5.8 million to the City of Kinston
President Biden signed H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan (ARP), intended to assist with the public health crisis created by the pandemic. As vaccine distribution and availability increases, more funds are needed to ensure the availability of the vaccine, that children are able to return to school, and that people can return to work. "By ensuring disaster relief funds are provided direct to municipalities, the American Rescue Plan allocated $5.8 million directly to the City of Kinston, NC to help our citizens and local economy recover from the impact of the pandemic," said Mayor Don Hardy.
Governor Cooper Announces Accelerated Timeline for Vaccination Eligibility
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D., announced today an accelerated timeline for moving to Groups 4 and 5 for vaccine eligibility with the rest of Group 4 eligible on March 31st and all adults eligible beginning April 7th.
Gov. Cooper announces North Carolina will relax some COVID-19 restrictions
As North Carolina’s trends continue to show improvement and vaccine distribution increases with 31.7% of North Carolinians over 18 having received at least one dose of vaccine, Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the state will continue to ease some COVID-19 restrictions. Executive Order No. 204 will take effect March 26 at 5 pm is set to expire April 30 at 5 pm. The state’s general mask mandate remains in effect.
Greene County Department of Public Health COVID-19 vaccine appointments available for groups 1, 2, 3 & 4
Effective today, March 15, 2021, the Greene County Department of Public Health will no longer be adding additional names to the COVID-19 vaccine waiting list for Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4.
NCDHHS Expands Demographic Data on Vaccine Dashboard
The North Carolina 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.
Gov. Cooper announces people with high-risk medical condition in group 4 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 17
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. announced beginning on 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. The rest of Group 4, which includes other essential workers will become eligible April 7. (See Deeper Dive)
NCDHHS Updates Guidance for K-12 Schools, Instructs Schools to Open for In-person Instruction
K-12 schools are expected to open for in-person instruction for K-12 students following the StongSchoolsNC health guidance released this week by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Health Department and Lenoir County Public Schools partner for vaccine clinic
A COVID-19 vaccine event was held at three public high schools in Lenoir County to offer the staff of Lenoir County Public School District the opportunity to receive a vaccine should they choose to do so. “It's been a great day so far, the clinics are going well,” said Brent Williams, Superintendent of Lenoir County Public Schools. “There is a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. We're so pleased that we're able to get this opportunity for our staff members. They're excited and they signed up. It's happening today and it's become a reality for them.”
Moderna vaccine will be available at Realo Discount Drug
Realo Discount Drug will be offering the Moderna Vaccine for healthcare workers and other first-lie employees that qualify for Phase 1A as well as people who are over the age of 65. School employees and daycare workers are also eligible to receive the Moderna Vaccine. “We have 100 vaccines available,” said Hardy Creech, owner of Realo Discount Drugs. “Once we use those we can order more and set up another clinic.”
Update on COVID-19 vaccine in Greene County
Due to weather conditions, the arrival of the COVID vaccine has been delayed to many local health departments in NC, including Greene County Department of Public Health.
North Carolina coronavirus grants awarded to 34 communities, including Kinston
Nearly $27 million in grants has been awarded to 34 municipal and county governments in North Carolina in response to the adverse economic and public health impacts of COVID-19, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.
State and local officials reach out to Suddenlink about consumer complaints
Elected officials across the state have reached out for assistance with a Suddenlink problem. Congressman Greg Murphy, MD had a discussion with Suddenlink’s executives to discuss the frustrations experienced by customers in Eastern North Carolina. Kinston’s Mayor Don Hardy sent a letter to the Attorney General’s office. And on Monday the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution supporting efforts to address the issues with Suddenlink.
North Carolina continues its commitment to equitably distribute COVID-19 vaccines
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D., outlined Wednesday how North Carolina is working to provide equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. They were joined by Charles Evans, president of the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials and Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
The Dr. Gallahers, a family affair at UNC Lenoir Health Care
The father is a pulmonologist with 30 years of experience, and the son is an infectious disease doctor during a pandemic. It’s the perfect match for UNC Lenoir Health Care. Dr. Robert Gallaher, a board-certified Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care, and Sleep specialist practicing in Kinston, and his son Dr. Ryan Gallaher, board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, have worked together to combat the pandemic.
Gov. Cooper outlines timeline on group 3 COVID-19 vaccine prioritization
Today Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. outlined a timeline for Group 3 frontline workers becoming eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, beginning with anyone working in child care or in PreK – 12 schools on February 24.