Thread by @NC_Governor

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

https://twitter.com/NC_Governor/status/1379485868193366022

As of today, we have had 923,430 cases; 870 new cases reported since yesterday; 982 people in the hospital; and, sadly, 12,189 people who have died. Our prayers are with those who have lost loved ones or who are battling this virus.

This week is Public Health Week, and if there’s ever a time to thank our hardworking and dedicated public health workers across the state, it’s now.

Your work has always been important, but this past year underscored just how critical and heroic that work is. Thank you for all you have done – including sacrificing your own safety – to save the lives of North Carolinians.

North Carolina’s COVID-19 metrics have remained stable over the past month as we have cautiously eased restrictions. Our percentage of tests returning positive remains steady and the number of hospitalizations have declined. This is good.

Although our state remains in a stable position, we can't let our guard down. This is true as we see rising numbers in other parts of the country & across the world. The virus is out there & more infectious variants are spreading. We need to continue to be careful & responsible.

As summer approaches, people are curious about how things will change. We're consulting with health experts, hearing from businesses and their needs and following the data and science. Soon we'll give you a forecast of what to expect for summer & what we can safely do by July 4.

We remain focused on getting people vaccinated as quickly and as equitably as possible and continuing to slow the spread of this virus. The more people we vaccinate, the more we can safely do.

North Carolina continues to make progress on that front. As of today, more than 5.2 million vaccinations have been administered. Almost 40 percent of adults are at least partially vaccinated, and more than a fourth of adults are fully vaccinated.

Particularly important is that our most vulnerable population, those 65 and over, is gaining protection every day. 73 percent of them have had at least one shot and more than 65 percent of them are fully vaccinated.

Tomorrow, Group 5 becomes eligible for the vaccine. That means anyone 16 and older can sign up for a shot. Because of the hard work of our providers and the commitment of North Carolinians to take their shot, we are getting people vaccinated more quickly than we predicted.

But the work isn’t over yet. We have to keep up our safety measures, like wearing our masks, especially indoors. We have to encourage each other to get vaccinated. If you know a loved one who is hesitant, make sure to talk with them about why it is important, effective and safe.

Vaccines are the key to saving lives and moving us forward. We all know the most common side effect is pure joy. I’ve seen that relief and sparkle in people’s eyes at every vaccination clinic I have visited.

We are so close, and every day counts. Every time we wear a mask makes a difference. Every person who gets a shot makes our whole state safer and healthier and helps move our economy forward. If we all do our part, we can put this pandemic in the rearview mirror once and for all.