North Carolina's top public official acknowledged for the first time on Thursday that the state has seen a small number of coronavirus vaccine doses thrown out at a time when supplies remain limited. The state has not publicly shared the number of doses wasted due to a vaccine being stored too long in a freezer or not being administered in a timely manner once it has been taken out of a freezer.
How Triad health systems are handling COVID-19 vaccine demand
Cone Health and Forsyth County Health Department answer the top questions from people in need of a COVID-19 vaccine. Author: Grace Holland Updated: 12:13 AM EST January 16, 2021
GREENSBORO, N.C. Many are frustrated as they try to make coronavirus vaccine appointments across the Triad.
The vaccination varies from county to county so WFMY News 2 took a closer look at some of the big questions.
Question:
Who can get a vaccine right now?
Many counties opened vaccinations to those 75 and older last week, along with frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents.
The Guilford County Health Department and Cone Health are opening vaccinations to include people over the age of 65 next week after the state changed its guidelines to the most recent phase.
An additional eight staffers at the Forsyth County Jail have become infected with COVID-19, along with two more inmates, according to the latest report from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
With the new numbers, the Forsyth County Jail has had a total of 116 COVID-19 infections, including 97 inmates and 19 staffers, in an outbreak that began at the end of November. The jail has the second-largest outbreak of COVID-19 among 21 correctional facilities listed in the DHHS report. Mecklenburg County Jail had the largest outbreak with 267 total COVID-19 cases.
The increase in COVID-19 cases comes after the Forsyth County Sheriff s Office tested 568 inmates in December. The jail also tested 210 staff members after 11 staffers had already tested positive. Just before Christmas, a total of 95 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19.
Where and when to get the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1B
Here s what Triad health departments have the vaccine and when they re accepting appointments for adults over 75. Author: Grace Holland Updated: 6:58 AM EST January 7, 2021
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. The push to get the coronavirus vaccine is picking up.
Guilford County announced Tuesday that it will begin vaccinating adults 75 years and older as part of Phase 1b of the state s distribution plan starting on January 11. The intent is starting our vaccine clinics for people that are older than 75 on Monday, Cone Health Director of Infectious Disease Dr. Cynthia Snider said.
Governor Cooper also announced Tuesday he mobilized North Carolina National Guard members to help speed up distribution.
ZIP Advertisement This is breaking his spirit : Wife of man in Forsyth County jail pleads for changes to COVID-19 policies Share Updated: 5:51 PM EST Dec 19, 2020 Share Updated: 5:51 PM EST Dec 19, 2020
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Show Transcript [SIRENS] WE TOOK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LOCKDOWN TO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TODAY. WE WANTED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NEW PROCEDURES REPLACE IN PLACE. A LOCAL WOMAN SAYS SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LONG AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS THEY MAY HAVE ON HER HUSBAND. INSIDE THE FORSYTH COUNTY JAIL, HE’S AWAITING HIS NEXT COURT HEARING. HE IS NOT DOING GOOD IT WIL NOT DOING GOOD AT ALL. SHE’S CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS CURRENTLY IN PLACE IN THE FACILITY ARE IMPACTING HER HUSBAND AND OTHERS IN THE JAIL. IF MY HUSBAND A PERFECT MAN, NO HE IS NOT. HE WOULD NOT BE WHERE HE IS. I AM NOT EXCUSING THE BEHAVIOR THAT GOT HIM THERE, BUT HE IS STILL A HUMAN BEING. THE SHERIFF PUT THE JAIL ON LOCKDOWN AFT