NC COVID Update as of 3/23

As of 11:50 a.m. today:

Newly Reported Cases Daily Percent Positive NC Currently Hospitalized NC Total Deaths
1,062 6.3% 956 11,854

More data are available online at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard.

Daily Update:
  • As North Carolina’s trends continue to show improvement and vaccine distribution increases with 31.7% of North Carolinians over 18 having received at least one dose of vaccine, Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the state will continue to ease some COVID-19 restrictions. Executive Order No. 204 will take effect March 26 at 5 pm and is set to expire April 30 at 5 pm. The state’s general mask mandate remains in effect. Read more.
  • Governor Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen recently visited the Vidant Health large-scale vaccine site at the Greenville Convention Center to see people receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Vidant Health has partnered with the Pitt County Public Health Department, local churches and community organizations to vaccinate more than 2,000 people a day and reach North Carolinians in underserved communities. Read more.
COVID-19 Testing:

  • Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested. If you are sick, use the Check My Symptoms tool to help you determine if you need a COVID-19 test. People who do not have symptoms but may have been exposed to COVID-19 should also get tested, especially people from historically marginalized communities, including Latinx/Hispanic, Black/African American and American Indian Populations, who have been disproportionately affected by the virus.
  • North Carolina has upcoming testing events scheduled in Alamance, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Dare, Davidson, Davie, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Johnston, Lenoir, Lincoln, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pitt, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Surry, Vance, Wake, Watauga, Wilson, Yadkin and Yancey counties. For an up-to-date list of events, visit the Community Testing Events webpage. Many events offer testing at no cost. For more details about a specific event, call ahead before you go for a test.
  • North Carolina COVID-19 testing is also provided at some local health departments, doctor and clinician offices, hospitals and clinics, many pharmacy sites and retail outlets, and other community locations. Some people who work in long-term care facilities and other high-risk settings may be tested through their work. You can find testing sites by using the Find My Testing Place tool online.
ICYMI:
  • In a new PSA released last week by NCDHHS, North Carolina NCAA men’s and women’s basketball coaches have come together to urge everyone to take their shot against COVID-19. They talk about why they personally chose to get vaccinated and how that helps to protect others. Read more.
  • Governor Cooper and NCDHHS Secretary Cohen gave an update on the state’s current data, trends and vaccination progress. Last Wednesday also marked the opening of vaccine eligibility for people who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk for severe illness or who live in certain congregate settings. Read more.
For a full list of the department’s videos on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, visit the NCDHHS YouTube Channel. Videos can also be downloaded for us on the NCDHHS Vimeo Channel.
For more information and updates on COVID-19, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov and nc.gov/covid19. Those with COVID-19 vaccine questions can call the COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center at 1-888-675-4567, or visit YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov.