Thread by @NC_Governor

Updates from Gov. Cooper's COVID-19 briefing:

https://twitter.com/NC_Governor/status/1354503122861895680

As of today, North Carolina has had 733,010 confirmed cases; 5,587 new cases since yesterday; 3,305 people in the hospital; and, sadly, 8,915 people who have died. Our prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones or who are battling this virus.

We are encouraged to see that our COVID numbers have stabilized in recent days, which is good. But the reality is that they are still high, and that too many people are still falling seriously ill and dying. The virus is still raging through our communities.

With more than 3,300 people in the hospital, and the percent of positive tests in double digits, we know this virus is still spreading. And with at least one new contagious variant of COVID-19 in our state, we still have work to do.

We cannot let our guard down, especially in these cold winter months. That means we need to keep wearing our masks and practicing social distancing when we leave our house. You’ve heard me say this a lot, but it’s because these simple measures have and will save lives.

Our top priority is getting vaccines to people as quickly and equitably as possible. As of today, NC has administered 99.8% of the first doses we've received from the federal government. I’m grateful to @ncdhhs, @NCEmergency and health providers for getting these shots out there.

The sticking point right now for our state and the nation is not enough vaccine. We do have thousands of shots, but there are millions of people who need two of them.

Yesterday we got some good news when we learned that the federal government will increase vaccine shipments to states by 16% over the next three weeks. That will help, but we still need much more.

I know this is a maddening and frustrating time for many of you. Hundreds of thousands of you have had success in getting vaccinated, but many more of you haven’t been able to get appointments or have been put on waiting lists.

It'll get better as NC gets more vaccine and more providers giving it out. Until then, we need to keep up the 3Ws, plan and wait as hard as that is. I want every single person to be immunized to prevent this cruel disease. We’ll make sure everyone has a spot to get their shot.

We set up the HOPE Program to relieve some of that strain by assisting with rent and utility payments. As of this week, the HOPE Program has paid nearly $130 million to landlords & utilities for more than 34,000 low-income North Carolinians who faced eviction or utility shut off.

With the General Assembly back in session, I hope to work with legislators to appropriate recently-passed federal funds to keep helping people and small businesses that are hurting. There is significant need out there and we hope to provide more funds to expand the HOPE program.

While it's good to see our numbers are decreasing and stabilizing they remain too high. We need to keep up our efforts to slow the spread of the virus.

I’m announcing that we will extend our Modified Stay at Home Order until February 28, 2021. That means the 10 PM curfew is still in place, as are the mask mandate, mass gathering limits, and capacity limits for businesses and retail.

I'm extending a moratorium on evictions to help people stay in their homes during the pandemic. Health experts have shown that keeping people in their homes is an important way to slow the virus. An evictions moratorium is important as we stay under a Modified Stay at Home Order.

To support businesses working to serve customers during difficult times, I will extend the order to allow to-go and delivery sales for mixed beverages. These orders will be in effect through March 31, 2021.

Although we are often frustrated and weary, we are entering a time of hope. The vaccine team and health providers are working night and day getting more vaccines to people and more are on the horizon. Our COVID numbers are stabilizing. We are charting a path forward.

But we have more work to do. Let’s continue wearing our masks, working hard to get people vaccinated, and taking this seriously. If we work to keep ourselves and each other safe, we will defeat this virus and move to better times ahead.