Cooper pushes for boosters as omicron spreads, won’t reimpose mandates

RALEIGH, N.C. — In a major tonal shift from six days ago, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and state health officials on Monday issued their strongest public health warning yet heading into the holidays, saying they anticipate the omicron variant of COVID-19 will soon severely strain hospitals, become the dominant variant and lead to the highest daily case counts since the pandemic first hit the state in March 2020.

Health officials are urging people to get vaccinated and get a booster ahead of the holidays as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in North Carolina and across the country.

In a news conference on Monday, Cooper and other members of North Carolina’s COVID-19 task force said cases are increasing across the state.

The omicron variant of COVID-19 is rapidly spreading and has been detected in at least 45 states, including North Carolina and South Carolina. With the variant spreading so fast, COVID-19 metrics nationally are at levels not seen since September.

”It seems to be overtaking all of the other variants, including delta, with a doubling time of about 2 to 3 days,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said. “Which means this really is something to be reckoned with. It is really rapidly spreading throughout the world and in our own country.”

The omicron variant is two to three times as contagious as the delta variant, making it four to six times as contagious as the original COVID-19 virus, health experts said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday evening released data showing omicron is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S., accounting for 73% of new infections last week -- and as millions of people prepare to travel for the holidays, Cooper and health officials are urging people to take precautions.

“Many people are going to get infected, including some who are vaccinated, but the most important difference between the vaccinated and unvaccinated is how sick you get. The evidence is clear that vaccinated -- and especially boosted people -- are so much safer,” Cooper said.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen also issued a Secretarial Advisory Monday for how people can help stop serious illness from COVID-19.

As officials brace for omicron to represent the majority of new cases by mid-January, Cooper and his outgoing and incoming health secretaries, Mandy Cohen and Kody Kinsley, unveiled plans to bolster free at-home testing and issue clearer — but unenforceable — guidelines.

While Cohen described the situation as “a moment to act,” she and Cooper on Monday declined to reimpose any statewide mandates or use financial perks to encourage residents to get a third dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Earlier this year, Cooper’s administration used such incentives to persuade North Carolinians to get their first shots.

“We are not at the point of any of those statewide requirements at this time,” Cooper said. “The message is strong and clear.”

In place of mandates, North Carolina officials are hoping additional testing resources and a strong informational campaign appealing to the roughly 62% of vaccinated individuals who have not yet come in for a third shot will suffice.

“We’ve seen with the omicron variant that you can get real protection from boosters,” Cooper said. “This is the first news conference we’ve had where boosters is the main message. The second message is testing. Those two things right now can help us get through this.”

Cooper, Cohen and Kinsley were not alone in pushing for people to get an extra shot.

Duke University, which has been widely praised for its management of the pandemic and has limited exposure risk during the fall semester, announced on Monday that it will “require all students and employees to provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 booster shot in January or as soon as they are eligible.”

Overall, 73% of North Carolina adults have gotten at least one shot and 69% have received at least two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the J&J vaccine. But early studies suggest the vaccinated will need a booster shot for the best chance at preventing an omicron infection. Officials are also continuing to encourage those who have not received any shots to do so.

Health experts said people should get tested for COVID-19 before they leave for their destination as well as when they get home. They are also advising people to wear a mask to help stop the spread.

State officials said people should not travel if they haven’t been vaccinated, and to not wait on getting the booster shot.

“These actions are urgent as North Carolina and the nation brace for the impact of the even more contagious omicron variant of COVID-19,” Cooper said.

“We are seeing this incredibly fast takeoff (of cases) in other countries and in the northeast, and we want to take the opportunity of the fact that it’s not dominant here in North Carolina yet,” Cohen said. “We have time to act, and we want folks to act right now.”

State health officials are urging the following actions to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, per the Secretarial Advisory:

This winter and holiday season, everyone should:

• Vaccinate and Boost: Get vaccinated now, including a COVID-19 booster as soon as you are eligible. This is particularly critical for those over age 65, those with underlying medical conditions, and health care workers. The Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are the best choice for most people. Layer protection by getting a flu shot.
• Test: Get a COVID-19 test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household and before and after traveling, regardless of your vaccine status. Get tested if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• Mask: Wear a face-covering indoors in public, even if you are vaccinated. If possible, wear a medical-grade mask for more protection (e.g., surgical mask, procedural mask, KN95, N95).

Holiday Travel

• Wear a mask while traveling. If possible, wear a medical grade mask.
• Get tested 1-2 days before and 3-5 days after traveling, and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including boosters, and against flu.
• Do not travel if you are not fully vaccinated and boosted. If you do travel and are not fully vaccinated and boosted, in addition to testing, stay home and self-quarantine for a full seven days after travel, even if you test negative.
• Follow CDC’s guidance for travel during COVID-19 and NCDHHS’s guidance for public transportation.

Gathering during the holidays

• Require guests and family members to be vaccinated and boosted if eligible before the event.
• Get tested one to two days before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.
• Guests over 2 years old who are not fully vaccinated should wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others, especially when they are indoors. If possible, wear a medical-grade mask.
• Keep gatherings small and host gatherings outdoors, when possible.
• If gathering indoors, use a space that is large enough to allow for physical distancing. Increase circulation of outdoor air by opening windows and doors. Follow CDC guidance on Improving Ventilation in Your Home.
• If you are sick or have symptoms, do not host or attend a gathering. Get tested and seek treatment. More information on treatment is available here.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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