Updated: 2:36 PM EDT May 27, 2021 WXII12.com Web Staff North Carolina topped 1 million COVID-19 infections on Thursday since the start of the pandemic. At the same time, the state reported its lowest daily positive test rate.The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported that a total of 1,000,416 North Carolinians had been infected with COVID-19. That's about 9.5% of the state's population. More than 13,000 people have died from the virus as of Thursday.The state also reported Thursday that only 2.8% of those being tested for the virus now are infected, which is the lowest rate during the pandemic.The bittersweet news comes as more than 50% of the state's population has received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which has proven effective at preventing contracting the virus or getting seriously ill as a result. The improved vaccine and virus trends prompted North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to lift most mask-wearing and social distancing requirements for those who have been vaccinated, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The lift on mandates has prompted many unvaccinated Americans to roll up their sleeves for a shot, according to data from CNN.So far, 48.5% of adults in the state are fully vaccinated, according to NCDHHS. That still leaves more than half of the population at risk of developing the virus or becoming very sick. Dr. Christopher Ohl, an infectious disease expert at Wake Forest Baptist Health, said in a news conference Thursday that the best way for unvaccinated people to protect themselves from becoming infected with COVID-19 is to wear a mask.