COVID vaccine live updates: Here's what to know in North Carolina on May 24 Bailey Aldridge, Simone Jasper, and Hayley Fowler, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) May 24—We're tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates. Death toll nears 13,000 At least 998,176 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,987 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 581 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, down from 821 on Sunday and 1,020 on Saturday. State officials don't update coronavirus case counts over the weekends.