Coronavirus updates for Sept. 15: 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.

19,000 new COVID cases

At least 19,618 new coronavirus cases were reported in North Carolina last week, down from 20,597 the week before, according to preliminary data from state health officials.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services also reported 1,100 new weekly COVID-19 hospital patient admissions, up from 1,002 the previous week, according to figures through Sept. 10, the most recent metrics available. The daily average of adult coronavirus patients in intensive care was 133, compared to 134 the week before.

The figures were released Wednesday, Sept. 14, more than five 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 78% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 73% have finished an initial round of vaccine doses. Of the state’s total population, about 63% finished their initial round and about 67% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination metrics to the nearest whole number.

More than 3.9 million “additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of Sept. 14, 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’s “lineages” in the two weeks leading up to Sept. 3, the latest time period for which data is available.

New COVID booster shots arrive in Charlotte area, on college campuses

Doses of the new COVID-19 booster vaccines have arrived in the Charlotte area — but you can’t get one if you haven’t received an initial shot.

People are only eligible if they are 12 or older and have received at least one dose of a Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer versions, according to Raynard Washington, public health director for Mecklenburg County.

People must wait at least two months after their last vaccine dose before receiving the new boosters, Atrium Health said.

The additional shots — called bivalent boosters — are designed to target two strains of the omicron coronavirus variant.

In the Charlotte area, Atrium Health, Mecklenburg County Public Health and StarMed are offering appointments. National pharmacy chains also have had openings, The Charlotte Observer reported on Sept. 13.

Across the state, several colleges have announced plans to offer the boosters to their workers and students, while others hadn’t gotten doses as of Sept. 13, The News & Observer reported

Popularity of Charlotte thrifting rises during COVID

Sales are up at Charlotte-area thrift stores as inflation and the coronavirus pandemic impact the retail landscape.

“Since COVID started our numbers have significantly increased,” said Susan Ross of Matthews HELP Center & Backporch Treasures Thrift Shop. “People are looking for better deals.”

Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops, said people have historically shown interest in thrifting during economic downturns, The Charlotte Observer reported on Sept. 14.

“I think this time it was more significant because of what everybody went through during the pandemic,” Meyer said. “The pandemic changed consumer shopping habits and people reset priorities, clearing out closets and their homes to make room for homeschooling and offices.”

Also, thrift stores didn’t face supply chain issues because inventory was already coming in, Meyer said.

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