‘The virus is still raging’: Cooper extends stay-at-home order through end of February

>> Frequently asked questions about NC’s modified stay-at-home order

The order, which was set to expire Sunday, imposes measures closing non-essential businesses like gyms, restaurants and retail at 10 p.m. nightly, and allowing them to reopen at 5 a.m.

The restrictions also included moving the alcohol curfew to 9 p.m. Face covering requirements and restrictions on individuals gathering in both indoor and outdoor settings are still in place.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

On Wednesday, Cooper announced that the new order, including those curfews and restrictions, will stay in place until Feb. 28.

”We are encouraged to see that our COVID numbers have stabilized in recent days, which is good,” he said. “But the reality is that they are still high, and that too many people are still falling seriously ill and dying. The virus is still raging through our communities.”

During Wednesday’s news conference, Cooper also said the order allowing the sale of to-go mixed drinks will be in effect until March 31. That order was originally issued on Dec. 22 and is aimed at reducing the number of people gathering in bars while allowing businesses to increase revenue.

Cooper also said he is extending the eviction moratorium until March 31.

Evictions have been on hold since last spring as people affected by pandemic-related business closures struggle to pay their rent. President Joe Biden last week extended a similar nationwide moratorium on evictions through March.

“This pandemic has strained our patience, but also our economy,” Cooper said. “And many people are struggling financially. We set up the HOPE program to relieve some of that strain by assisting with rent and utility payments. As of this week, the HOPE program has paid nearly $130 million to landlords and utilities, on behalf of more than 34,000 low-income North Carolinians who faced eviction or utility shut-off. With the General Assembly back in session, I hope to work with these state legislators to appropriate recently passed federal funds to keep helping people and small businesses that are hurting.”

On Wednesday, North Carolina health officials reported 5,587 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total since March to 733,010. Throughout the state, 8,915 people have died from the virus.

[ VACCINE LATEST: NC promises more doses for providers hit by shortfalls ]

A Secretarial Directive issued earlier this month telling North Carolinians to stay home except for essential activities remains in place. The directive also directs people to avoid gathering, especially indoors, with people who do not live with you.

Under the directive, North Carolinians are instructed to:

• Only leave home for essential activities such as going to work or school, for health care purposes, to care for family members or to buy food.
• Avoid leaving home if you are over 65 or at high risk for developing serious illness. Use delivery services or alternative pick-up methods for food and retail.
• Avoid gathering with people who do not live with you.
• Wear a mask and keep distance from people when you leave home.
• Avoid any indoor public spaces where people are not wearing masks.
• Stay away from crowds. Avoid places where people may gather in large numbers.

Though the directive doesn’t have the force of law or enforcement, Cohen said she hopes this formal action reinforces the 3W’s and adds on admonitions consistent with the White House Coronavirus Task Force. That includes a warning that if people do gather with people outside of their household to “presume” you have the virus and get tested.

[ County-by-county guide: Here’s when, where you can get the COVID-19 vaccine ]

Cooper and members of the task force also discussed recent issues with vaccine distribution around North Carolina, answering questions about the state’s vaccine supply.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 630,000 people have received first doses across the state and another 180,000 have received both first and second doses.

Cooper said on Wednesday that 99.8% of all first doses received by the state were reported as being administered and 859,695 total doses have been administered. Vaccine supply continues to be very low and the state is hopeful for more vaccine to be on the way.

On a call with Cooper and other governors on Tuesday, the Biden Administration committed to increase vaccine shipments to the states by 16% over the next three weeks.

Healthcare systems and county health departments across the state are all fighting to get COVID-19 vaccine doses, but supply issues have been impacting the rollout.

Officials said supply issues from both federal and state officials have impacted their ability to get the vaccine out quickly.

“Yesterday we got some good news when we learned that the federal government will increase vaccine shipments to the states by 16% over the next three weeks,” Cooper said. “That will help, but we still need much more.”

North Carolina will receive its first federal shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday.

The 120,000 doses of the vaccine the state receives each week will be less than what’s been made available so far from the state’s supply.

Cohen has said the state is finished giving out its backlog of shots.

Hospitalizations, percent positive rate dip across North Carolina

North Carolina health officials reported 5,587 more COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total since March to 733,010.

With 97 percent of North Carolina hospitals reporting, 3,305 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19. That is down 63 from Tuesday.

There were 398 confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted in the past 24 hours. NCDHHS said there are 398 empty ICU beds and 4,753 empty inpatient beds.

In North Carolina, 139 more virus-related deaths were reported on Wednesday, bringing the total to 8,915 people since March.

The state’s percent positive rate is at 11.1%, which is down from Tuesday’s 13.3%.

Cohen on Wednesday said that the key metrics of hospitalizations, positive cases and the percent positive rate were all trending downward, but still well above where they were earlier in the pandemic.

“The overall takeaway is that we are past the spike from the winter holidays, but we are still experiencing worrisome levels of virus,” Cohen said. “This worry is compounded by the fact that we now have a new even more contagious COVID virus strain in our state.”

On Jan. 23, NCDHHS reported the first identified case of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant in North Carolina. Early data suggest that this variant may be more contagious than other variants and state health officials continue to recommend staying at home when possible and practicing the 3 “W’s:” Wear a face covering, Wait 6 feet apart and Wash your hands.

Cohen provided an update on North Carolina’s data and trends.

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

• North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is decreasing, but high.

Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

• North Carolina’s trajectory of cases is stabilizing, but high.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

• North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is leveling, but high.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

• North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is leveling, but high.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.

Testing

• Testing capacity remains high.

Personal Protective Equipment

• North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable

80 percent of patients receiving vaccine in North Carolina are white

For more than a month, North Carolina has been administering the COVID-19 vaccine and tracking who has rolled up their sleeves.

From Dec. 14, 2020 to Jan. 25, 2021, 82% of patients who received the first dose, and 80% who received the second dose are white.

North Carolina’s Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary, Ben Money, said leaders are concerned by those statistics but they are leaning very heavily into addressing equity.

Money told Channel 9 there are reasons why, so far, vaccine statistics skew toward white women.

“When you look at the healthcare workforce, as well as the workforce within long-term care, that tends to skew female,” Money said. “Also, females tend to live longer than men. So, when you look at the elderly population, it tends to be female.”

Many are concerned that people of color or those below the poverty line do not have equitable access to the vaccine.

Nimish Bhatt’s organization works to educate Charlotte’s immigrant and refugee community about the vaccine and how to get it.

“Three total things are the problem,” he told Channel 9. “One is culture. The second thing is language. The third thing is technology.”

This week, North Carolina allocated much of the vaccine to mass clinics like Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord and Bank of America Stadium in uptown -- a move that drew criticism from health leaders in rural counties.

Money said that the move was necessary to stay competitive in the fight to get more vaccine from the federal government.

“I think what happened with those mass vaccination events was really a necessary approach to make sure we didn’t fall behind other states and risk losing vaccines,” he said.