Health News

How Many Times Can I Reuse My N95 Mask?

Experts say how often you can safely wear an N95 or KN95 mask will vary depending on how it’s used.

Anti-Mask Anger Forces Colorado Children's Museum To Close

A Colorado children’s museum is the latest casualty of harassment by people angry over mask mandates designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

DHEC: South Carolina Caught Up On Backlog Of COVID Tests

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental announced on Thursday that all of its COVID-19 testing vendors have cleared their backlogs and testing wait times will return to the standard 48-hour period.

New COVID-19 Testing Site At The LP Frans Stadium In Hickory Opens Friday

Beginning Friday, January 28th, a new COVID-19 testing site located at the LP Frans Stadium in Hickory will be open to the public.

Vaccine Mandate To Kick In For First Wave Of Health Workers

A requirement to get vaccinated against COVID-19 kicks in Thursday for millions of health care workers in about half the states.

NC Treasurer's Report Critical Of How Hospitals Bill Poor

A report on North Carolina's nonprofit hospitals is critical of how they bill the poor for medical care.

Total Abortion Ban Advances In South Carolina Legislature

A group of South Carolina lawmakers have advanced a proposal to ban all abortions in the state should the U.S. Supreme Court allow it.

Former NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen Announces New Job

Former North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced her new job Tuesday, as she moves into the private sector.

Pfizer Opens Study Of COVID Shots Updated To Match Omicron

Pfizer has begun a study comparing its original COVID-19 vaccine with doses specially tweaked to match the omicron variant.

Three New COVID-19 Testing Sites Opening Jan. 25th

In a continued effort to increase access to COVID-19 testing in the area, Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) has worked in collaboration with MAKO Medical to open three new COVID-19 testing sites Tuesday, Jan. 25.

South Carolina Agency To Distribute Free Home COVID-19 Tests

South Carolina's public health agency plans to start handing out thousands of free coronavirus tests kits for residents to use at home.

Nation's Largest Abortion Protest Could Be Last Under Roe

Thousands of anti-abortion protesters are rallying in the nation’s capital Friday with a growing sense of momentum about the prospects this year of a sweeping rollback of abortion rights.

NCDHHS Requests Federal Assistance As Hospitals Struggle With Record COVID-19 Cases

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is requesting federal assistance as the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19 is sending record numbers of people to hospitals, straining capacity in the state.

Icy Weather Prompts StarMed Healthcare To Close Outdoor COVID-19 Testing Locations

StarMed Healthcare will close all but two of its outdoor testing locations on Friday due to the expected winter weather.

White House Soft-Launches COVID-19 Test Request Website

The Biden administration on Tuesday quietly launched its website for Americans to request free at-home COVID-19 tests, a day before the site was scheduled to officially launch.

Hong Kong To Kill 2,000 Animals After Hamsters Get COVID-19

Hong Kong authorities say they will kill about 2,000 small animals, including hamsters, after several tested positive for the coronavirus at a pet store where an employee was also infected.

BBB Scam Alert: Getting A COVID-19 Test? Make Sure The Testing Site Is Real

This winter’s spike in COVID-19 cases has more people than ever looking for tests. This has given rise to a new con: phony websites and suspicious in-person testing sites used to collect personal and insurance information.

Expect More Worrisome Variants After Omicron, Scientists Say

Scientists warn that omicron’s whirlwind spread across the globe practically ensures it won’t be the last worrisome coronavirus variant. So they urge wider vaccination now while today's shots are still effective.

Catawba County Schools Implement Mask Mandate Beginning January 18th

Masks will be required in all Catawba County Schools beginning Tuesday, January 18th, according to the school board.

Long Lines At Starmed For Covid 19 Testing And Vaccines

Winter Storm Prompts StarMed Healthcare To Close Outdoor COVID-19 Testing Sites

StarMed Healthcare will close almost all of its outdoor COVID-19 testing sites on Sunday due to the expected winter storm.

Super Bowl Organizers Say Game Is Staying In Inglewood

Both NFL officials and local organizers say the championship game isn’t leaving the Los Angeles area.

New Mental Health Exhibit Opening At The Discovery Place In Charlotte

Discovery Place Science is proud to present the new, interactive Mental Health: Mind Matters exhibition coming to Charlotte January 29th.

Supreme Court Halts COVID-19 Vaccine Rule For Businesses

The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job.