Gov. Cooper 2:00pm Briefing Today (12/20/21) & DHHS Updates
Monroe, Kevin A
Good Morning,
Governor Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force will hold a briefing today (Monday December 20, 2021) at 2:00pm to share updates on COVID-19. You may watch on PBS North Carolina (Formerly UNC-TV) or via live stream here: https://www.ncdps.gov/news-conference
If you are not able to view in real time, all previous COVID-19 briefings by Governor Cooper and Dr. Cohen may be viewed in English and Spanish at https://www.unctv.org/coronavirus/
(Current as of COB Friday 12/17/21)
COVID-19 Numbers
We have 4,165 newly reported cases with a percent positive rate of 7.5%. There are 1,604 people hospitalized with COVID-19. Sadly we have 19,099 confirmed deaths for North Carolina due to the Pandemic.l
More detailed information is available here on the DHHS dashboard: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard
Currently 73% of the adult population has been vaccinated with at least one dose and 69% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated.
Health Experts Warn of Significant Impact from Omicron Variant – Pfizer or Moderna Boosters Strongly Encouraged
Health experts are warning that the highly contagious COVID-19 variant, Omicron, is expected to cause the greatest surge in COVID-19 infections to date in the coming months. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services urge people to get vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) as soon as possible and to get a booster as soon as they are eligible to help prevent serious
illness, hospitalization and death.
Early evidence suggests that Omicron is two to three times as contagious the Delta variant, making it four to six times as contagious as the original COVID-19 virus. Data collected so far show more rapid waning of protection after the primary vaccination series
than was seen with Delta or other variants, although vaccines are still effective at preventing severe disease. Protection against Omicron increases greatly after a booster dose. Health experts predict that once Omicron is in a community, it will be nearly
impossible to contain, making vaccines and boosters essential in protecting people from severe illness. The elderly, people living in long-term care facilities and people with underlying medical conditions or who are immunosuppressed are at the greatest risk
and should get vaccinated as soon as possible and get a COVID-19 booster as soon as they are eligible.
The CDC now
recommends the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines as the best choice for most people for preventing infection from COVID-19. There is ample supply of both vaccines in North Carolina and across
the country. The CDC emphasized receiving any vaccine, including the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, is better than being unvaccinated. People who prefer to receive the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will continue to have access to it, as will people who cannot
receive an mRNA vaccine. However, people with a history of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia, a condition defined as blood clotting with low platelets, should not receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
To date, all three vaccines have prevented severe illness and hospitalization among millions of Americans. A study released this week by
The
Commonwealth Fund estimates COVID-19 vaccines prevented more than 1 million additional deaths and more than 10 million additional hospitalizations in the United States through November 2021.
Vaccinating against COVID-19 remains the most effective way for people to protect themselves from serious illness, hospitalization and death. Once vaccinated, people should get a booster. Anyone who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, should get a booster
6 months after their second dose. Anyone who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine should receive a Pfizer or Moderna booster 2 months after their original shot.
With the presence of Omicron and the upcoming holiday, all North Carolinians should:
- Vaccinate: Get vaccinated before gathering, attending events or traveling. Get a booster when eligible. Layer protection with a flu shot.
- Test: Get a COVID-19 test before joining gatherings with others who are not in your household and before and after traveling, regardless of your vaccine status.
- Mask: Wear a mask indoors in public, even if you are vaccinated
Feel free to call or email with questions and continue to keep safe!
Kevin
KEVIN A. MONROE
Director for Intergovernmental Affairs
Office of Governor Roy Cooper
600 East 4th St. Suite 231 | Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Office: 704-330-5290 | Cell: 980-259-9734
Email correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized state official.