RALEIGH, N.C. – Local Officials released their plan for the current state of the pandemic and discussed methods of moving into a new phase with COVID-19.
In a press conference Gov. Roy Cooper, NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Kody H. Kinsley, and NC Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Sanders outlined the NCDHHS approach by highlighting four different principles: Prioritizing equity, empowering individuals, maintaining health system capacity and collaborating with local partners.
The NCDHHS state that over the course of the last two years, they have modified a combination of metrics to better understand the impacts of the pandemic in order to conduct the state’s response.
According to officials, previous key metrics reported no longer meet the current conditions. Therefore, beginning March 23, weekly updates, instead of daily updates, will be made to the summary page of the NCDHHS COVID-19 dashboard every Wednesday.
The updates will include seven key metrics containing the following:
- Wastewater testing in order to detect SARS Co-V-2 virus in community wastewater systems.
- Monitoring COVID-like illness in hospital emergency departments.
- Amount of COVID-19 hospital admissions.
- Amount of confirmed COVID-19 reported cases.
- Rate of booster shots and updated COVID vaccines
- New Variants and its level in the state.
- The CDC’s COVID-19 community levels; protect community members with the highest risk of severe outcomes.
To views the full plan click here.
