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.
Jomoka Brown said her job has been challenging and stressful, especially during the COVID pandemic. Every day I go to work I risk contracting the virus and spreading it to my family, Brown said. I must say, though, I do love my job. We all help each other, and we are in this together. This is how we are doing our part in fighting COVID. We are the unseen heroes.
Brown, an Environmental Services Team assistant of six years, said disinfecting and sanitation is more important than ever to overcome this pandemic.
The team is an integral part of preventing the spread of the virus with approximately 200 workers on staff around the clock.
Andrew Craft for KHN
New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a publicly owned hospital delivering good care at lower prices than most others and still makes money―yet the county is selling the hospital to one of the state’s biggest healthcare systems.
In America s healthcare system, dominated by hospital chain leviathans, New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, is an anomaly. It is a publicly owned hospital that boasts good care at lower prices than most and still flourishes financially.
Nonetheless, New Hanover County is selling the hospital to one of the state s biggest healthcare systems. The sale has stoked concerns locally that the change in ownership will raise fees, which would not only leave patients with bigger bills but also eventually filter down into higher health insurance premiums for Wilmington workers.
If this self-sufficient hospital cannot stand alone, can any public hospital survive?
If Wilmington’s self-sufficient medical center cannot stand alone, can any public hospital avoid being subsumed into the large systems that economists say are helping propel the cost of American health care ever upward?
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In America’s health care system, dominated by hospital chain leviathans, New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, is an anomaly. It is a publicly owned hospital that boasts good care at lower prices than most and still flourishes financially.
Nonetheless, New Hanover County is selling the hospital to one of the state’s biggest health care systems. The sale has stoked concerns locally that the change in ownership will raise fees, which would not only leave patients with bigger bills but also eventually filter down into higher health insurance premiums for Wilmington workers.
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