Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 225, extending certain DHHS regulatory waivers to facilitate the provision of health care and vaccination efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All in Health
Republicans in N.C. House, Dems in Congress weigh in on vaccine mandates
The push and pull regarding vaccination mandates continues, both on Capitol Hill and in. the state legislature, from Republicans and from Democrats.
Bill that frees up pharmacists, requires parental consent for vaccines, heads to governor
The N.C. House on Thursday, Aug. 5, concurred with the Senate on a bill giving parents control over the COVID vaccine.
Cooper urges Council of State members to ‘push vaccines as hard as you can’
On the heels of a new executive order requiring state employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine or be required to wear a mask and submit to weekly testing, Gov. Roy Cooper is urging other members of the Council of State to push their own staffs to get vaccinated.
NCDHHS adds county-level COVID-19 vaccination data from federal providers to dashboard
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ vaccine data dashboard now includes county-level vaccination information from federal providers, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, Federal Bureau of Prisons and Indian Health Service.
Governor Cooper Announces Third COVID-19 Cash Drawing Winner and Highlights HOPE Program for Rental and Utility Assistance
Today, amid higher COVID-19 numbers statewide, Governor Roy Cooper again urged North Carolinians to get vaccinated. He also announced the third winner of North Carolina’s Your Shot at $1 Million Summer Cash Drawing. Winston-Salem resident and incoming Fayetteville State University freshman Audrey Chavous received the $1 million prize as part of the cash drawing that includes North Carolinians 18 and over who have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
North Carolinians: don't wait to vaccinate!
After months of decline, North Carolina is experiencing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases among those who are unvaccinated.
North Carolina offers $100 cards for first-time COVID-19 vaccinations, and $25 Cards for drivers
As part of its effort to help more North Carolinians protect themselves against COVID-19 and the highly contagious Delta variant, North Carolina is now offering $100 Summer Cards at some vaccine sites across the state to offset the time and transportation costs of getting vaccinated.
NCDHHS to Hold Final Summer Cash and Cash 4 College Drawings on Wednesday
On Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m., the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, with the help of the NC Education Lottery, will conduct the final random number generator drawings for the Summer Cash Drawing and Summer Cash 4 College Drawing.
Suburban, rural schools make masks optional; urban counties keep mandates
Given the freedom to choose whether to mandate masks for students, school boards across the state have begun voting to make face coverings optional for the coming school year.
Cooper announces vaccination pressure campaign, no new mask mandate
Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Thursday, July 29, that, although statewide mask mandates will still expire July 30 according to recent guidance, his administration is launching vaccination verification requirements for Cabinet agencies and a general campaign to pressure other government entities and private businesses toward similar vaccination requirements.
North Carolina rural hospitals receive more than $4 million for COVID-19 testing and mitigation
North Carolina received more than $4.9 million federal funds for small rural hospitals in the state to provide COVID-19 testing and mitigation, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced today. The program will provide increased COVID-19 testing to rural populations ensuring an equitable distribution across the state.
Governor Cooper Sees More North Carolinians Get Lifesaving Shot at McDonald’s Restaurant in Nash County
Governor Roy Cooper visited the vaccine clinic held outside of a McDonald’s in Nashville to see more people receive their shot. North Carolinians getting vaccinated received a coupon for a free McDonald’s sandwich at this site, which was set up as a collaboration between the Nashville McDonald’s and Nash County Public Health Department.
North Carolina Hepatitis A outbreak surpasses 1,000 cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the state has surpassed 1,000 reported cases of hepatitis A associated with a national outbreak that began in April 2017. 63% of cases have required hospitalization and 16 people have died.
House passes interstate agreement for licensing mental health counselors
The N.C. House unanimously passed a bill Monday to allow mental health counselors to work across state lines. Aimed at increasing public access to professional counseling services, House Bill 791, Licensed Counselors Interstate Compact, would enter North Carolina into an agreement with member states allowing a counselor’s license from one state to be accepted in the others.
NCDHHS announces Medicaid Managed Care Regional Behavioral Health I/DD tailored plans
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the selection of seven organizations to serve as Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disability Tailored Plans (Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plans). Individuals who need certain services to address a serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, severe substance use disorder, intellectual/developmental disability or traumatic brain injury may be eligible to enroll in a Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plan.
Getting COVID-19 shot is matter of personal choice, conservatives say
The voices of those urging government officials to rely on individual liberty and personality responsibility as the founding principles relate to getting the COVID vaccine are getting louder.
COVID-19 cases rapidly increasing in unvaccinated North Carolinians; hospitalizations doubled in two weeks
After months of decline, North Carolina is experiencing a rapid increase in COVID-19 spread among those who are unvaccinated. Yesterday, 1,998 cases were reported to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and 817 people are hospitalized with 132 admitted in the past 24 hours. There have been 9,053 cases reported over the past seven days compared to 5,441 cases in the preceding seven days — a 66% increase — and hospitalizations doubled since July 9 and are at the highest rate they have been since the May 11.
NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen applauds NC healthcare association’s position supporting COVID-19 vaccine requirements for healthcare employees
North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) announced its position approved by the association’s board of trustees supporting COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers. NCHA also announced several of its member health systems intend to be first in the state to require COVID-19 vaccination for their employees.
Teledentistry bill, reducing tape for hygienists, moving in legislature
A bill that advocates say would boost access to dentistry, especially in the state’s rural areas, is sailing through the General Assembly.