At least 4,104 new coronavirus cases were reported in North Carolina last week, down from 5,549 the week before, according to preliminary data from state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services also reported 516 new weekly COVID-19 hospital patient admissions, a drop from 615 the previous week, according to figures through March 11, the most recent metrics available. The daily average of adult coronavirus patients in intensive care was 82, compared with 88 the week before.
The figures — released Wednesday, March 15 — show roughly 78% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 74% have finished an initial round of vaccine doses. Of the state’s total population, about 63% finished their initial round and about 68% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination metrics to the nearest whole number.
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“Out of all people who have finished their initial vaccines in North Carolina, 59% have been vaccinated with at least one booster, and 22% with an updated omicron booster,” the health department wrote on its website, adding that it experienced a problem with posting the latest data.
“Due to a technical issue, COVID-19 vaccinations data was partially refreshed on the dashboard published on March 15, 2023,” state officials wrote. “Data will be fully updated on the next dashboard published on March 22, 2023.”
Health officials have urged those who are eligible to get boosted, as data shows it offers increased protection against the omicron coronavirus variant. Across the state, virtually all new COVID-19 cases were attributed to omicron strains in the two weeks leading up to March 4, the latest time period for which data is available.
Is it COVID or allergies?
As plants release pollen and COVID-19 continues to spread, it may be difficult to tell what’s causing your symptoms.
But there are some signs that could help distinguish between seasonal allergies and COVID-19, according to a list from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For example, sneezing and itchy or watery eyes could be signs of seasonal allergies. On the other hand, fever is one symptom that’s more closely tied to COVID-19, McClatchy News reported March 10.
Still, some symptoms overlap, and health officials recommend taking a test if you think you have COVID-19.
As spring nears, read more about common symptoms here.
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