Charlotte Pride organizers monitor monkeypox amid increase in cases

CHARLOTTE — There is now a growing health warning about monkeypox cases in Mecklenburg County. The health department is monitoring nearly twice as many cases as this time last week.

Officials said they are finding cases primarily in men who have sex with other men. Though, cases are spreading to other demographics.

As of Monday, there are 33 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the county. That’s nearly double last week’s case county of 18.

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Now, organizers of Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade are watching very closely to see what happens and are working on a plan to keep everyone safe.

For the first time since 2019, Charlotte Pride will return to in-person events in uptown later in August, attracting tens of thousands of people to the Queen City.

“Really looking to showcase the vibrancy of our community, as well as the community that’s embracing us here,” said Pride president Clark Simon.

Monkeypox: What is it, how dangerous is it, should you be concerned?

But amid the planning and excitement is the lingering concerns over monkeypox. Health Director Raynard Washington said anyone can get it, but the virus is taking hold to one community.

“The majority of those cases continue to be the risk of being a male that has sex with other men,” he said.

The health department said it is slated to receive 2,000 doses of the vaccine this week, but there’s nearly 1,800 people on the waiting list. Washington said he’s advocating for more vaccines.

“We are all hands on deck at this point to try to get as many folks in the high-risk group vaccinated and also want to make sure we’re being intentional to make sure that those at greatest risk are getting into get vaccinated as well,” he said.

ALSO READ: Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade to return this summer

Washington said he’s also working with several groups, including Charlotte Pride, encouraging education and the vaccine. It’s a relationship the Pride director said he’s thankful for in hopes it will keep everyone safe.

“Charlotte Pride has always maintained that public safety is our number one concern, first and foremost,” Simon said.

The United States has already ordered 5.5 Million doses of the monkeypox vaccine. Washington is hoping to get as many in Mecklenburg County as possible.

The health department and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have said there’s no reason to cancel this year’s pride event. Charlotte Pride said it will follow revised recommendations if that happens to change.

(WATCH BELOW: Meck County health officials say increase in monkeypox cases is a serious health issue)