COVID-19 & Health News

POLITICAL WRAP: COVID Restrictions Scaled Back

The CDC says vaccinated people can go out and about and leave their mask at home. But health officials strongly recommend unvaccinated people keep wearing their masks.

Some Aren't Ready To Give Up Masks Despite New CDC Guidance

Like more than 120 million other Americans, Jan Massie is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and can pretty much give up wearing a mask under the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But she’s still covering her face.

Gov. Roy Cooper: Virus Business Limits, Most Mask Mandates End In North Carolina

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday immediately ended the state’s capacity limits on businesses and nearly all the remaining statewide mask-wearing mandates, returning the state to almost normal operations after 15 months marked by COVID-19 lockdowns and limits.

Third Creek Middle School Goes Virtual Due To COVID Cluster

Officials with Third Creek Middle School announced Friday afternoon that all students will learn virtually for the week of May 17th through May 21st, due to a reported COVID cluster.

South Carolina Lifts Mask Mandates For Those Fully Vaccinated

South Carolina public health officials say fully vaccinated residents in the state can now go without masks in most situations.

Govt Eases Up Guidance On Indoor Mask-Wearing

In a striking move to send the country back toward pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday eased indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to safely stop wearing masks inside in most places.

US Jobless Claims Sink To 473K As More GOP Governors Bar Aid

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 473,000, a new pandemic low and the latest evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs as consumers ramp up spending and more businesses reopen.

Local Charlotte Nonprofit Partners With Walmart To Host Vaccination Event

The Camino Center, a local Charlotte nonprofit, is working with Walmart to distribute 2,400 COVID-19 vaccines to the Charlotte community during its two-week vaccination event.

U.S. Advisers Endorse Pfizer COVID Shot For Kids 12 And Up

U.S. health advisers endorsed use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in kids as young as 12 on Wednesday, just as expected new guidelines say it’s OK for people of any age to get the shot at the same time as other needed vaccinations.

Pfizer COVID-19 Shot Expanded To US Children As Young As 12

COVID-19 vaccines finally are headed for more kids as U.S. regulators on Monday expanded use of Pfizer’s shot to those as young as 12, sparking a race to protect middle and high school students before they head back to class in the fall.

Publix Pharmacies Offer Walk-In COVID Vaccines In 7 States Including North And South Carolina

Publix pharmacies are now accepting walk-ins for the COVID-19 vaccine at all of their locations across seven states.

Popular Music Venue To Host First Show In 15 Months

Popular NoDa Music Venue Announces Reopening After 15 Months Of Being Closed

After more than a year of struggle and uncertainty, they are back. The neighborhood theatre in NoDa announcing their first show happening in June.

As Vaccinations Drop, North Carolina May Offer Financial Perks

At a time when fewer and fewer North Carolinians are coming in for a COVID-19 vaccine, state health officials are examining ideas from other states to see what incentives might work to boost participation.

Pfizer Aims For Full FDA Approval Of Vaccine

Drugmaker Pfizer has begun the process to earn full U.S. regulatory approval for its COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 16 and older.

Hospitality Industry In Charlotte Starting To Bounce Back

Consumer confidence appears to be increasing, with new data showing more than 80% of Americans plan on traveling this summer.

Most North Carolina Adults Have Now Gotten A COVID-19 Shot

Most North Carolina adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, according to data released by the state Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday.

U.S. Backs Waiving Intellectual Property Rules On Vaccines

The Biden administration on Wednesday joined calls for more sharing of the technology behind COVID-19 vaccines to help speed the end of the pandemic, a shift that puts the U.S. alongside many in the developing world who want rich countries to do more to get doses to the needy.