COVID vaccine live updates: Here's what to know in North Carolina on April 16 Simone Jasper and Hayley Fowler, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) Apr. 16—We're tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates. Case count tops 943,000 At least 943,693 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,387 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 2,475 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, up from 2,434 the day before. Edgecombe County is the only red county in the state's tiered COVID-19 county alert system, indicating it has the most severe spread. There were no red counties a few weeks ago, The News & Observer reported.