The number of people who are vaccinated more than doubled over the past week. On Jan. 18, a total of 573,130 doses had been given across N.C. By Jan. 27, that number was up to 1.18 million. (Port City Daily/Courtesy New Hanover County)
SOUTHEASTERN NC Approximately 300 days into the pandemic, North Carolina is continuing to see Covid-19 cases rise as health officials double down on efforts to vaccinate the people most at risk of infection.
As of Saturday morning, North Carolina has reported 752,627 cases and 9,287 deaths. The seven-day rolling average for new cases remained relatively stable – 6,199 on Jan. 18 and 6,168 on Jan. 30.
The percent of test results returning positive has fallen, though, from 10.5% to 8.4%. Health officials previously have considered a positivity rate of less than 5% a goal in slowing the spread of the virus.
Former New Hanover County Health Director Philip Tarte signs a beam at the now-finished Department of Health and Human Services headquarters. The reasons for Tarte’s departure are unclear. (Port City Daily/Courtesy New Hanover County)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY Phillip Tarte, the director of the New Hanover County Health Department, is no longer employed with the agency, a county spokesperson confirmed Friday. The county’s website lists David Howard previously Tarte’s deputy as interim health director.
Commissioner Rob Zapple said Friday that County Manager Chris Coudriet told commissioners Tarte is no longer employed by New Hanover County.
Tarte was hired in 2016 to lead an agency with 120 employees and a budget of nearly $11.6 million, according to a report at the time by StarNews Media. His starting salary was $130,000. Tarte is from Whiteville and worked as health director of Union County prior to coming to New Hanover.
Busy signals and overstrained call centers can be commonplace when so many people seek the Covid-19 vaccine. With even more people becoming eligible on the horizon, New Hanover County hopes to expand its options. (Port City Daily/Courtesy of New Hanover County)
SOUTHEASTERN NC Over the past week, North Carolina is reporting Covid-19 cases at 718,812 and 8,695 deaths, with a 10.5% daily positive rate among those being tested. Though the overall numbers continue to rise, the seven-day average for new cases dropped from 8,711 on Jan. 11 to 6,199 on Jan. 18. The death average over seven days also went down, from 91 on Jan. 11 to 71 on Jan. 18.
N.C. changed its vaccination plan so individuals ages 65 and older can get the Moderna or Pfizer series of shots. NHC will fall in line with the new order once it gets through all Friday appointments and receives another shipment of vaccines. (Port City Daily/File)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY New Hanover County Health and Human Services confirmed it will fall in line with the state’s updated vaccination plan to now serve individuals 65 years and older. First, the county must work through its limited supply of vaccines to fulfill current appointments for patients 75 and older through Friday.
County officials confirmed the change will make an additional 37,000 people eligible for the vaccine in New Hanover County.
The New Hanover County Health Department on Jan. 7 began vaccinating seniors 75 years old and older as part of the state’s current guidelines for eligibility. State officials are working through the Trump administration’s announcement Tuesday about expanded guidelines for vaccine eligibility.
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The county opened appointment slots on Thursday and Friday for the 955 vaccine doses it now has. Less than three hours after announcing the openings, county officials reported shortly before 2 p.m. that those appointments were all full.
The NHRMC Physician Group primary care practices opened COVID-19 vaccinations to their established patients in the eligible age group starting Jan. 8.