State and local COVID-19 update

Published 10:05 am Wednesday, May 5, 2021

For the month of May 2021, certain gathering restrictions relax in North Carolina.

Because the state’s metrics and key indicators remain stable and because more North Carolinians are getting vaccinated, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 209 outlining safety measures for the month of May.

Masks are still required indoors, but are no longer mandated outdoors. Masks are strongly recommended outdoors by the state’s health officials in crowded areas and higher risk settings where social distancing is difficult.

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Mass gathering capacity limits are increased. The number of people who may gather indoors increased from 50 to 100 and the number of people who may gather outdoors increased from 100 to 200. Occupancy limits currently in place remain the same.

Under Executive Order 209, restaurants can operate at up to 75 percent capacity indoors and 100 percent outdoors with social distancing. Bars and night clubs can operate up to 50 percent capacity both indoors and outdoors.

Establishments holding certain types of permits can still sell mixed beverages to-go or for delivery.

High school athletes don’t have to wear masks while playing outside sports. Players on the bench also don’t have to wear masks but are urged to practice social distancing.

Dare County: On Friday, May 4, Dare County noted three new positive test results, bringing the total number of cases since March 2020 to 3,157 people. Among residents, 21 cases are active with one person hospitalized and the remaining 20 in home isolation.

Statewide, the cumulative total of cases stood at 975,300 people on Tuesday, May 4. New cases reported affected 981 people, dramatically down from over 2,000.

Nearly half of adults in North Carolina, or 49.7%, have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. At least 42% are now fully vaccinated.

In Dare County, 49.5% have received one dose and 45.2% are fully vaccinated.

Hyde County: Active cases are going down again. There are no noticeable trends, reports the county’s health department. Five cases are active. Eight deaths have been recorded.

Hyde County vaccination rates are 48.6% for one dose and 42.8% are fully vaccinated.

The Hyde County Health Department remains available to the public to answer questions and provide education. Call 252-926-4467 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for COVID appointments. For 24/7 on-call services, dial 1-866-462-3821, the Coronavirus Hotline.

Tyrrell County: No new cases are reported in Tyrrell County as of May 3, 2021. No open outbreaks are noted.

Vaccination rates are 31.3% for one dose and 28.4% of the adult population fully vaccinated.

Patients can schedule a vaccine appointment at clinics in Plymouth, Williamston and Columbia by calling 252-793-3023.

Currituck, Camden and Pasquotank: As reported by Albemarle Regional Health Services on April 30, make appointments for the Moderna vaccine at county health department locations.

Currituck has 1,522 total lab-confirmed coronavirus cases since April 30, 2021. Active cases number 19 people. Deaths remain at 16. Currituck has 28.7% of adults vaccinated with at least one dose and 23.4% fully vaccinated.

Camden has 652 cases with four active. Five people have died. Vaccination rates are 26.4% for one dose and 22.1% for fully vaccinated.

Pasquotank has 3,305 lab-confirmed cases. Active cases number 44. Deaths number 80. Vaccination rates are 31.8% for adults with one dose and 27% for those fully vaccinated.

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