12:10 p.m.
The primary up to date COVID-19 numbers in North Carolina since Christmas present a big leap in circumstances.
The newly launch metrics from North Carolina Division of Well being and Human Companies present the very best each day % optimistic fee ever recorded. January 4 was the earlier report at 17%. At the moment’s replace reveals a positivity fee of 21.9%.
That fee is greater than double what it was only a week in the past, and it is 4 instances as excessive because the state’s objective of 5%. Furthermore, months in the past, we spent week after week at or beneath that 5% objective.
The uncooked variety of circumstances reported immediately (3,698) had been much like the uncooked quantity reported on this identical day final yr (3,888).
The up to date metrics additionally confirmed 312 extra individuals hospitalized with the virus. That is an 18% enhance in hospitalizations since final Tuesday. Pediatric hospitalizations elevated by 1.3%, up from 0.8%.
The full demise toll of the virus elevated by 75 to a complete of 19,308.
To check out the metrics your self, click here.
11:40 a.m.
Lengthy strains construct up for COVID-19 testing in Wake County.
Chopper 11HD flew over the Kidd Street location round 11:30 a.m. and located vehicles lined up down the street for at the very least a mile.
Excessive demand for testing following the Christmas vacation weekend has compelled many individuals to attend hours to get examined.
Ian Miller is from Canada, however he is on the town visiting household and must get examined earlier than heading again house.
“My spouse’s sister lives right here, and so far as journey restrictions go, we wanted to get examined earlier than we get again,” Miller stated.
10:15 a.m.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the highest U.S. infectious illness professional, stated the nation ought to take into account a vaccination mandate for home air journey, signaling a possible embrace of an thought the Biden administration has beforehand eschewed, as COVID-19 circumstances spike.
Fauci, President Joe Biden’s chief science adviser on the pandemic response, stated that such a mandate would possibly drive up the nation’s lagging vaccination fee in addition to confer stronger safety on flights, for which federal rules require all these age 2 and older to put on a masks.
“While you make vaccination a requirement, that is one other incentive to get extra individuals vaccinated,” Fauci informed MSNBC on Monday. “If you wish to try this with home flights, I believe that is one thing that severely must be thought of.”
TUESDAY MORNING HEADLINES
As omicron spreads ever extra gloom across the globe forward of New 12 months’s Eve, governments are moving at different speeds to include the scourge, with some reimposing restrictions instantly and others hesitating to spoil the celebration once more.
Domestically, First Evening Raleigh is taking the unprecedented step of transferring every thing open air, requiring proof of vaccine or destructive check, and charging for tickets.
“We felt that this was a cheerful medium between a full cancelation and an occasion that was excessive danger as a result of it was indoors,” stated Cameron Legal guidelines, program director at Artsplosure, who places on the occasion.
This comes because the CDC updates its steering for individuals who check optimistic for COVID-19 or had been uncovered to somebody with COVID-19.
The brand new steering shortens isolation and quarantine intervals. View the full details here.
MONDAY
10 p.m.
Raleigh’s ‘First Evening’ will go on New 12 months’s Eve however with some slight modifications.
You may want proof of a COVID vaccination or a destructive check to attend along with a ticket to see any a part of the occasion.
Every little thing has additionally been moved open air due to the spreading omicron variant however masks should not required.
“We felt that this was a cheerful medium between a full cancelation and an occasion that was excessive danger as a result of it was indoors,” stated Cameron Legal guidelines, program director at Artsplosure, who places on the occasion.
In years previous, tickets weren’t required to get onto metropolis plaza however that has modified.
With a purpose to journey the rides or see the artwork displays, you may have to buy a $12 ticket.
“I actually felt individuals want this,” stated Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “They wanted this celebration. I believe it is a good compromise to maneuver every thing open air and nonetheless let individuals collect as a result of we want one thing to rejoice.”
An outside occasion is healthier, however you possibly can nonetheless get contaminated, in line with Dr. David Wohl, an infectious ailments specialist at UNC Well being.
“Even when you’re open air however inside inches or a foot or two, possibly with Omicron with one other particular person screaming, yelling or singing, I might be nervous,” stated Dr. Wohl.
Wohl stated if you’ll go, masks up and make sure you’re boosted.
“We at all times say to have a ‘completely happy and wholesome new yr,'” stated Dr. Wohl. “There are issues we are able to do to maintain it wholesome. Simply use your sensible mind, use the instruments at your disposal so we are able to have a future New Years with out having to fret about this.”
Susan was out along with her children Monday evening in Downtown Raleigh. She stated she’s been to First Evening in years previous however would not go this yr along with her daughter Lula unable to be vaccinated.
“I’d be sporting my N95 and I might be making the kids put on N95s additionally,” stated Susan. “I assume I am just a little excessive however to every their very own.”
2 p.m.
First Night Raleigh can be held fully open air for the primary time ever.
Public Well being officers, Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin, and Artsplosure–the group that organizes the event–agreed that resulting from rising COVID-19 circumstances, the occasion ought to take additional precautions this yr.
All indoor performances will shift to happen exterior.
As well as, each particular person ages 6 and older should present proof of vaccination or a destructive COVID-19 check from an official Wake County testing website inside 48 hours of the occasion.
Masks sporting is not going to be required exterior, however it is going to be strongly inspired as an additional security measure.
8:55 a.m.
NC State would require all unvaccinated college students, college and employees to offer a destructive COVID-19 check inside 72 hours of returning to campus.
All college students dwelling in College Housing and Greek Village, no matter vaccination standing, should additionally present a destructive COVID-19 check earlier than returning to campus.
Anybody who exams optimistic inside 72 hour of their scheduled return to campus mustn’t return to campus. As an alternative they need to add their optimistic check consequence to the Healthypack Portal.
This comes on the heels of Duke College requiring COVID-19 booster shots for all college students, college and employees.
In the meantime, UNC said it will wait a bit longer to resolve the way it will begin its spring semester.
“We imagine we’re in a greater state of affairs if we wait just a little bit longer and wait till we now have as a lot info and knowledge as we are able to to make as knowledgeable determination as doable,” stated Bob Boulin, the manager vice chancellor and provost.
MONDAY MORNING HEADLINES
COVID-19 testing websites in Wake County will reopen Monday after being closed over the vacation break.
All 5 public testing websites can be open and accepting appointments. You will get an appointment–for each exams or vaccines–by going online here.
Coronavirus circumstances throughout the nation are as excessive as they’ve been in practically a yr. That comes because the omicron variant surges, inflicting well being specialists to encourage testing each earlier than and after massive gatherings.
The surge in circumstances is inflicting issues for airways. 1000’s of flights have been cancelled, with airways citing employees shortages resulting from necessary COVID-19 quarantines.
Jet Blue and Delta have requested the federal authorities to reduce the required quarantine period for workers who check optimistic for the virus.
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