COVID-19 & Health News

AP Source: 2 NFL Teams Remain Under 50% Vaccinated

Two NFL teams remain under 50% vaccinated less than two weeks from the start of training camp, a person familiar with the vaccination rates told The Associated Press.

Some North Carolina Hospitals Dangerously Low On Blood

Leaders of the agencies that provide blood to some North Carolina hospitals say the easing of the coronavirus pandemic has created potentially dangerous shortages.

Coronavirus State Of Emergency Explained

North Carolina Announces 2nd Round Winners Of Vaccine Lottery

Dr. Mandy Cohen announced the second round winners on Thursday for North Carolina's Your Shot at A Million Summer Cash drawing and Summer Cash 4 College drawing.

US Unemployment Claims Fall To 360,000, A New Pandemic Low

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits has reached its lowest level since the pandemic struck last year, further evidence that the U.S. economy and job market are quickly rebounding from the pandemic recession.

SC Health Experts Warn Of ‘Alarming’ Rise In COVID-19 Cases

Public health experts warned Wednesday of another surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths across South Carolina as more than half of state residents remain unvaccinated.

Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Offered Across Cleveland County This July

Health officials in Cleveland County say they will be offering pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout July, in an effort to make accessing the vaccine as easy as possible for community members.

Missing Your Margarita? Local Liquor Shortage Likely To Blame

ABC store shelves in the Charlotte area are bare and bar owners are struggling to get certain types of booze to keep their increasing crowds satisfied.

FDA Adds Warning About Rare Reaction To J&J COVID-19 Vaccine

U.S. regulators on Monday added a new warning to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine about links to a rare and potentially dangerous neurological reaction, but said it’s not entirely clear the shot caused the problem.

Tyson Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken

Tyson Foods Inc. has recalled approximately 8,955,296 pounds of their ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) as of late last week.

Community Activists Team With Health Department to Offer Door-to-Door COVID Shots

Community activists are working to increase the vaccination rate in Mecklenburg County. Action NC is now partnering with the Health Department to go door-to-door offering COVID shots. But not everyone agrees with the approach.

N.C. Health Officials Urge Parents To Get Kids Up To Date With Vaccines

North Carolina health officials are urging parents to get their kids up to date on immunizations as the state continues to open up.

Pfizer To Seek OK For 3rd Vaccine Dose; Shots Still Protect

Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant.

Vaccinated Teachers And Students Don’t Need Masks, CDC Says

Vaccinated teachers and students don’t need to wear masks inside school buildings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday in relaxing its COVID-19 guidelines.

Baby Boom Forecast Busts In North Carolina

Predictions of a baby boom during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown have gone bust in North Carolina, according to a team of researchers.

New Data Shows Positive COVID Trends in Mecklenburg County

New data shows positive trends when it comes to COVID deaths in Mecklenburg County. The Health Department did not report any new COVID-related deaths during the last week of June.

Health Officials Investigate Possible Exposure Of Hepatitis A At Waffle House In Concord

Cabarrus Health Alliance officials are investigating a possible exposure of Hepatitis A at a Waffle House in Concord. Impacted individuals should get vaccinated before July 5th.

"No Swimming" Advisory Lifted For Part Of Lake Norman After Sewage Spill

A "No Swimming" advisory was lifted on Friday for a cove on Lake Norman, after an incident on June 30th where untreated sewage was released into the waterway.

Cooper Vetoes Bill That Would Have Stopped Federal Benefits

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed legislation Friday that would have ended additional federal benefits created during the pandemic for North Carolina’s unemployed before the program expires nationwide. His action counters trends by Republican governors to no longer accept the supplemental payments.