North Carolina records 10,000th COVID-19 death since March

NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY/WTVD) — In a news briefing, Gov. Roy Cooper and NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen discussed how they are encouraging vaccine providers to ensure equity in who is receiving vaccinations.

“North Carolina is making some progress in improving vaccine access for Black North Carolinians, although we have more to do,” Cooper said.

Cohen added that DHHS is asking all vaccine providers to ensure that the percentage of vaccines they administer to historically marginalized populations meet or exceed county population estimates.

Still, both leaders acknowledged that the limiting factor in vaccine equity is the supply.

“Many people have to wait and I know that is frustrating,” Cohen said.

Charles Evans, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners chairman and president of the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials encouraged people of color in North Carolina to get vaccinated when it is their turn.

“If we’re going to get control of our lives, we have to get vaccinated,” Evans said.

NCDHHS also expanded its COVID-19 vaccine help center to answer people’s questions and help them determine when they are eligible for a vaccine. The hotline, 888-675-4567, is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Callers can get help with general COVID-19 vaccine questions, information on eligibility groups, clinical questions about the vaccine, and how to find vaccine locations and transportation services.