Coronavirus updates for July 21: Here’s what to know in North Carolina this week
We’re tracking information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back every Thursday for updates.
More than 27,000 new cases
At least 27,930 new coronavirus cases were reported in North Carolina last week, up from 26,014 the week before, according to preliminary data from state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services also reported 1,099 new weekly COVID-19 hospital patient admissions, up from 971 the previous week, according to data through July 16, the most recent metrics available. The daily average of adult coronavirus patients in intensive care was 120, an increase from 105 the week before.
The figures were released Wednesday, July 20, about four months after health officials started adjusting information on their coronavirus dashboard and publishing weekly COVID-19 data. The data had previously been released almost every day.
Roughly 77% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 73% are fully vaccinated. Of the state’s total population, about 62% are fully vaccinated and about 67% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination metrics to the nearest whole number.
More than 3.8 million “additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of July 20, the health department said. Health officials have urged those who are eligible to get boosted, as data shows it offers increased protection against the omicron coronavirus variant.
Across the state, virtually all new COVID-19 cases were attributed to the omicron variant and its related “lineages” in the two weeks leading up to July 9, the latest time period for which data is available.
BA.5 subvariant makes up most Charlotte-area cases
A strain of the omicron coronavirus variant now constitutes most COVID-19 cases in Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte.
BA.5, which is believed to be one of the most transmissible subvariants, makes up over half of the county’s cases. But the portion could be higher if data from at-home tests were included, The Charlotte Observer reported on July 20.
The figures come as hospitalizations have been rising, and more Atrium Health patients are requiring intensive care.
“Everybody should weigh their risks if they go out in public, and keep masks handy,” said Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg health director. “This variant is more transmissible and immune evasive, which of course is of great concern.”
As some people grow tired of coronavirus-related measures, the county is also urging people at risk of contracting monkeypox to be cautious. More information about monkeypox’s spread in Charlotte is available here.
Nearly half of NC counties at high level of spread
Almost half of North Carolina’s 100 counties have higher risks for people contracting COVID-19 and being hospitalized, data shows.
Across the state, 41 counties were labeled as having high community levels, up from 18 the week before, The News & Observer reported on July 14.
In the Triangle, most counties are at higher risk, which is marked in orange on a map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wake, Franklin and Johnston are among the areas at the medium level, marked in yellow.
When determining an area’s community level, the CDC considers infection and hospital patient metrics. Those living in areas labeled as high risk are urged to get vaccinated, wear face masks in public buildings and seek testing if they feel sick.
The map was updated as the BA.5 coronavirus subvariant, which is believed to be more contagious than others, has been spreading across the state.
Teen mental health crisis got worse during COVID
There has been a rise in mental health crises among young people, and the coronavrius pandemic has made the situation worse, North Carolina experts say.
“We saw increased loneliness. Increased isolation. Increased parental distress. Increased substance abuse disorders across the entire population,” said Nathan Copeland, a pediatric psychologist at Duke. “The murder of George Floyd exacerbating racial trauma and highlighting the systemic racism that so many individuals experience.”
The transition to virtual learning and pandemic-related deaths have also taken their toll on children and teens, experts say. If you’re caring for a young person, some ways to help are listed here.
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