>> Good afternoon and happy New Year everybody thank you for joining today's briefing.

As of today we have 10,276 new covid cases reported since yesterday.

We have 3,008 people currently in the hospital with it and sadly a total of 19,494 people who died since this pandemic began.

Before we talk about covid I'll update on the severe weather weather that we've experienced across North Carolina.

We know that a strong storm system moved across our state and brought high winds and flooding and downed trees and power outages and snow in some areas.

Statewide we currently have 19,250 to 9 utility customers without power.

That's down from a high of a 197,000 yesterday morning.

And we deeply appreciate the work of first responders and utility providers to help people and get them reconnected as quickly as possible.

With freezing temperatures predicted again tonight.

We can expect black ice overnight.

And tomorrow morning in many areas of the state and we encourage everyone to use caution on the roads.

And I particularly want to give deep condolences to the friends and family.

State Highway Patrol trooper John Horton and Mister de dusty Luke back who were both tragically killed in a highway accident in Rutherford County.

Last night.

As we close in on 2 years dealing with COVID-19.

I know many of you are weary.

And frustrated.

I know it was difficult for people who want to do the right thing to make decisions about the holidays and have sometimes difficult conversations with family and friends about being safe.

And after making so much progress against this virus.

It's been stressful and sometimes scary for people to test positive RC coworkers, friends and family members test positive now and over the holidays.

Fortunately for people who have been vaccinated and especially for those who've gotten boosters.

The new omicron variant has been less severe than the previous searches.

We have the benefit of so much more information science and data then we did at the start of this pandemic.

And we're using that knowledge to keep students safely in the classroom.

Help businesses stay open.

And ensure public services are running as effectively and efficiently as possible.

And the way for us to get even better on all of that as you get more of us vaccinated and then boosted once were eligible.

I my family have.

And that is the strongest protection we have to fight this virus and live normal lives.

Most of the people with covid in the ICU right now are unvaccinated.

There's still time for you to get a vaccine and a booster.

They are free safe effective and readily available for you.

Studies show that boosters increase our immune response.

Even more and provide greater protection from the omicron variant.

And we know the booster is especially important for those 65 and older and other high-risk populations.

We have more than 92% of our seniors who are 65 and older are fully vaccinated and more than 64 of them have boosters have done boosters and those numbers keep rising.

This week how extend executive order to 24 which requires vaccinations or testing.

State employees.

When I extend that order the Office of state human resources.

We'll have the authority to include boosters in the definition of being up to date on vaccines when the CDC takes that action.

And our medical experts here and I encourage the CDC to do this as soon as possible.

With these vaccines and boosters.

We have an amazing tool to save people's lives and beat this pandemic.

And we'll keep our foot on the gas when it comes to getting more shots and more boosters that ministry.

This virus and its variants will continue to be with us for a while but we're getting better and better at dealing and living with it.

And we'll keep doing that.

And now I'd like to invite the North Carolina Department of Health and human Services Secretary Cody Kinsley.

The share an update with us check your cancer.

Thank you governor Cooper.

Last week we set a single-day record for COVID-19 cases.

>> The next day we broke it.

And the next day we broke it again topping out in 19,620.

We're not alone.

The highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19 setting record case numbers across the country putting a strain on testing services in creating concern about hospital capacity.

We're taking several steps guided by our laser focus on saving lives ensuring that hospitals can provide care to people who need it and keeping kids in the classroom.

The first thing on everyone's mind is testing.

We set records there as well.

A New Year's Eve more than 91,000 tests were reported to the state.

I know many people felt the frustration of this increase and had to endure long lines.

While state testing accounts for only 10% of the testing in North Carolina.

We have been using our resources to open additional testing sites and thousands of appointments each day.

Before the holiday we distributed about 500,000 test kits across the state and we're ready to fill other requests.

We're also working with our partners to ease the strain across the state.

Despite the large amount of testing the percent of tests that are positive remains high and nearly 30% far above our target 5%.

Here's what you can do to get tested.

Plan ahead.

Use our find a test tool at NC dhhs .gov slash get tested.

You may need to look at a variety of locations in please do not go to the emergency department to get tested.

Second I want to remind everyone.

The treatment is extremely limited across the country because supply is limited per federal guidance treatments will be used for those at highest risk of severe disease.

And the best treatment is prevention.

So get your vaccination or booster if you're eligible now.

The 3rd area we're watching is hospital capacity as of today 3,008 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 and 603 people are in the ICU.

That's 80% of our hospital beds in 85% of our ICU beds.

We are concerned both for patient care and for staffing.

We are in close contact with hospital leaders to manage capacity and provide support through our patient coordination system if needed.

The fast-spreading omicron variant is another reminder that viruses change and our understanding of them grows.

Last week the CDC updated its guidance for those with a COVID-19 positive test or exposure.

It reduced time frames for isolating depending on your symptoms and vaccination status.

The department has outlined our guidance to that standard and updated the strong schools toolkit with those guidelines.

Wearing a mask is another layer of protection against the spread of the virus, North Carolina is again in the cdc's red high transmission category.

We advise you to wear a well-fitted multilayer masks if possible wear a surgical procedure mask a KN 95 like what I'm wearing or an N 95.

We're making these higher grade masks available for adults at no cost in more places.

The need them like long-term care facilities and federally qualified health centers and for school staff and populations at higher risk of exposure for severe illness.

That last group includes migrant farm workers.

These organizations and others that provide essential services can request these masks on line at COVID-19 dot ncdhhs .gov slash request masks.

Testing and wearing a mask are essential tools and slowing the spread of COVID-19 but the bottom line is that vaccines and boosters are the number one thing you can do to protect your health.

As governor Cooper mentioned most people in the hospital are unvaccinated more than 87% of people in the ICU are unvaccinated vaccines are our way out of this they provide the best protection against severe illness hospitalization and death.

And boosters are critical.

Early evidence shows that boosters provide a significant level of protection against omicron vaccines are available for those 5 and older, and boosters are available for those 16 and older.

Yesterday the FDA recommended boosters for children 12 through 15 years of age.

But the CDC must still act.

The CDC today did approve a 3rd dose for certain immunocompromised children ages 5 through 11.

They also shorten the time for getting a booster if you've got the Pfizer vaccine to 5 months after your second shot.

If you haven't gotten vaccinated yet please talk with the doctor Norse nurse or other medical professional or go to reliable online health resources like CDC or my spot dot NC .gov to be sure you're getting accurate information.

You can still decide to get vaccinated and help us save lives.

Protect hospital capacity and keep kids in school.

Thank you for that update secretary Kinsley we're glad to have you at the helm.

>> Continuing the department's strong work.

As you heard secretary Kinsley's update cases of COVID-19 are reaching all-time highs right now.

Our hospitals still have capacity and that is because so many North Carolinians have gotten vaccinated and boosted sharply reducing their chances of needing hospital level care.

This hospital capacity is important.

But we know that many of our doctors and nurses and other health care workers are tired after 2 long years of this pandemic.

I have executive orders in place giving them more flexibility and support to get through this.

We owe these heroes so much.

And the best way to show them our appreciation.

It's getting vaccinated and boosted so we greatly reduce the chance that they have to treat us and add to their burden.

As the new year unfolds before us.

I have so many reasons to be hopeful about our State's progress in dealing with this pandemic educating our children and growing our economy.

All at the same time.

But we have to keep doing what works and I know we will.

Also with us today is Don Campbell chief of staff of emergency management.

Tim moose Department of Public safety chief deputy secretary of adult correction.

And doctor Susan can soccer Department of Health and Human Services acting senior deputy director of public Health.

Our sign language interpreters are Nicole FOX and David Payne and behind the scenes as usual Jackie and jasmine metivier our Spanish language interpreters.

We'll now take questions from reporters in the room.

If if you haven't.

Governor Michael Hyland from CBS 17 at a few questions related to testing and this may go to where the secretary can say I'm not OK. >> One us first with with the weather we had yesterday we saw some of the sites here in wake County that the state was working with to get open to deal with the demand they shut down but some of the wake County sites did not why was there a backup plan in place to ensure that testing could continue yesterday.

Well first I want to thank people for doing what we ask him for doing the right thing going and getting tested.

>> We've had a record number of tests over the holidays and that's that's a positive thing and one of the things we've been doing is working with our providers to help provide more testing sites and to provide more testing for people but I'll let secretary Kinsley address that.

>> Thanks for the question.

You know I think yesterday unfortunately we saw some pretty rough weather and I think in that situation we want of course prioritize safety.

I know that our vendors as of the wake County government sides are working hard to get everything up and running up at the top speed that they were at before and as soon as the weather allows that they'll be moving through to that so I think what's also important to remember is that there are a lot of different options for testing and so folks need to make sure they're going on to our website to try to locate those options I recognize that this is frustrating during these record high moments and testing and so we'll continue to work to increase access as much as possible related that we have seen people really struggling to find the at-home tests at the drugstores and other places are you looking at doing anything else increase the availability of tests including opening up any more sites or getting more tests that the state could be sending to people's houses, yeah, great questions so we continue to work to put your additional test I think it's important to remember that these tests are a national if not international product and so there's a lot of supply chain issues as we're working to secure those.

And we did distribute many of those on the eve of the holiday period and of course now we are working to increase access point with our vendors.

I'm hopeful to hear from our federal partners that national lab capacity for testing remains an excess of the demand meaning they're still supply for labs now those aren't the fast S the you're referencing but that is another product which is why remind folks that making sure that they're looking at all the options available planning ahead checking our website to make sure they're finding those opportunities for testing.

The event that this is not the last time we see an increased demand for testing like this.

There is another surge in the future what planning are you all doing to ensure there's not this scramble that people are going through to try to get testing done.

>> Well, I think that we are definitely going to continue to see very high levels of demand as we go through.

>> The next month, especially in the current omicron surge.

And so but I'm also really hopeful.

You know we've seen the private sector in partnership with the federal government rapidly ramp up the availability of testing whether that's in labs or the over the counter rapid test that you've mentioned.

And and I know they'll continue to work to increase those who we can try to state had that demand as much as possible.

It wasn't.

About the updated executive order.

You all yet been asking the state employees were subject to if they've gotten the booster shot are you even tracking that information yet.

Well first let me go to rapid test I was on the phone with the White House team today, I'm constantly.

>> Asking the federal government for more resources.

They let us know that 2 more rapid tests have been authorized by the FDA.

One of the 15 that will make 15 or so of them now that have been authorized by the FDA.

They say that that will help put millions more tests on the market for people.

In addition.

Today was the last day of the rfp that the Biden administration put out on this half a billion.

Test they're going to try to get out to to that the states in the next week.

A couple weeks or so so I think things are moving to try to make rapid test better.

As to the question about the executive order.

First we want to make sure that our state employees are vaccinated and that they are protected and one of the things that we are seeing more and more that really being up to date on your vaccination is making sure you get boosted because with this omicron variant we're seeing so much more protection because of that.

The booster ramps up the immune system.

So.

>> When the CDC makes that decision that they're going to include boosters and their definition of up to date.

This executive order authorizes hour.

State human resources department to include that as part of the requirement for state employees.

Now there will be a ramp up time because we know people need time to get those just but already we are encouraging not only state employees but everybody to to get boosters because we know that with this omicron variant a booster so much more important.

In particular in prisons.

I know you're old and working on an incentive programs get more of the employees vaccinated there will there be any kind of incentive for employees to get the booster shot.

>> You know we will look at those as well we we've seen an uptick in the number of our corrections officers who have taking us up on the the bonus in order to get vaccinated so we're going to continue to look at all ways to get more people vaccinated and will use what's most effective to get that done.

>> Good afternoon gentleman, a verse have been from North Carolina health news.

So continuing on Michael's line of questioning about the Correctional system.

>> Do we know how many inmates have received boosters at this point.

>> I think we're at 74%.

But what I'm going to do is call 10 moose with the department.

Of Corrections well they adult corrections and Department of Public safety camp.

Thank you give thanks for the leadership.

Thank you for the question.

Right now the current offender population in our facilities are at 74%.

>> Fully vaccinated 33% of those received boosters.

Imprisons continues a very in that vaccination program to increase those numbers each day.

There's also been an additional almost 6,000 individuals who have returned to our communities that are fully vaccinated.

>> I was on the phone yesterday with your department and I was told that you can't you don't currently have a breakdown as to who is vaccinated and who has boosted in each facility.

Why is that the case.

>> If that's information that isn't on our public website, but we'll certainly follow up and provide all the information that we can.

>> Now how to how to inmates go about requesting a booster to they have to do they just raise their hand if they have to report a sick day do they have to how is that how is that process going.

>> Is going well they can do it through a variety of measures they can request it.

Through their case manager they can requested through medical appointments and then our medical staff obviously have the record information of who's already been vaccinated and go to those individuals to inquire about the booster when they meet the criteria to receive that.

>> And have you had inmates filed grievances are you know complaints over access to boosters.

This is something that we've been hearing.

>> I don't have any of that information available with me today but will be glad to follow up and provide that he.

>> And I have a question or 2 for camp for Cody.

If I could.

I thank you very much for taking my question.

I >> you know one of the things we're hearing us we're seeing is you know sky high case numbers.

Hospitalizations are definitely going up.

You know, but these days on the KRON we're seeing that it's less severe a sensibly what are the numbers that you're looking at most closely.

>> What we are definitely focused on our hospital numbers as I mentioned in the remark.

I mean that is where you know we want to make sure hospitals are available for individuals to get care whether that's care for the for COVID-19 infection or its care for any other reason you would need to go to the hospital so that's what we're watching credibly closely now.

With the case numbers that were seen being so large that even a very small percentage of those individuals and up in the hospital all of the same time it can create if not for our statewide system, especially regionally issues and hospitals that's what we are incredibly close contact with the hospital leaders were standing up or patient transfer.

Governor Cooper mentioned keeping flexibilities in place to make sure folks who have access we're very focused on hospital capacity.

>> And finally, you know what what changed are you going to be working with the state school board to change the stay in school to tool kit.

You know and to include like a test to stay option.

>> Thanks for the questions.

So we are excited to see a research coming out of the ABC collaborative that examined sort of modified test to stay program.

You know what we found in that research was that you know first and foremost that the strong schools toolkit is incredibly effective when schools follow those guidelines, including having mask requirements at reducing infection and spread and keeping kids in the classroom.

We will be continuing to review that information meeting with the school board later this week to potentially implement some of that into our policy.

>> One of other small question it's more of a science key question.

You know we're seeing it indications that more people are testing negative but still coming down with symptoms of covid and then there's been some recent research showing that that omicron may be more present in the oral cavity rather than in the nasal cavity what do you like to do you anticipate any change in protocol that people should be swabbing both mouth and nose are.

That is there any discussion around that.

Yeah absolutely and I'll turn things over to doctor conservative speak a bit more to this but.

>> What I would say for says that you know this virus has continued to evolve rapidly and we're having to stay on top of the science and data to make sure we're staying 2 steps ahead of it but doctor consider.

>> Thanks secretary and thanks for the question is what we've seen with the omicron variant is but it is less severe in part of the reason why that might be is because it is more likely to infect your upper respiratory tract as opposed to go deep into your lungs.

So that is something that we're continue to get more information on see more data on but the test that we have right now we're also seeing that there are effective in detecting that and certainly as we go forward we'll continue to monitor that and see if there's any updates.

So thank you.

>> Happy New Year everybody happy New Year >> when that you'd mentioned being on the front of the White House talking about testing and then there's the meeting that President Biden had with the governor's last week.

Did you any questions you had for him was it about testing supply and are we looking at.

You said a few weeks of people are waiting in these long lines this week when can they expect that to change as far as the testing supply here.

>> So I know that people are frustrated, but it's because they are doing what they should do and we're grateful for that and we're grateful for the record number of people who have gone in to get test.

Virus is changing on us rapidly how the administration.

We've asked them to respond and to help us with more testing.

They are doing that we're working with our providers to provide more testing.

I feel confident that will get even more tests for us so that we can keep up with this testing is a vital part.

Fighting this pandemic and knowing, Wendy need to stay away from other people.

So we're going to keep asking for federal resources and keep asking for help and also working with our private sector which is I think on top of this as well continuing to create increase the testing options for people and I do like secretary Kerry.

Kinsley says to go to the website and check all of your options that are out there.

One place may be crowded but another place may not be as crowded.

And I know that it's trouble but I thank people out there for doing the right thing and for working so hard to get themselves tested and their family tested.

>> And on the percent positivity rate is really high now is their way to know that that is definitely omicron these are these are more mild cases is that something that you are looking at as a metric in the same way that you did before or is that not as not as much a factor so we were always concerned about the percent positive in particularly when it is high as it is now almost.

>> 30%.

You know we wanted around 5%.

One of the things that that we know is happening out there is that obviously there are a lot of rapid tests going on and people who get it right and that that's not something that generally the state would record people who get a positive on a rapid test with then go to get a PCR test and that might increase the positivity rate but I'll let.

Secretary Kinsley comment on that.

>> You know, thanks to the thanks for the question.

I think that the important thing to remember is that you know I don't want to downplay wall there are some good science that this may be less severe.

You know what we're seeing is over 87% of the folks that are in the hospital right now.

In the ICU in particular are unvaccinated and so individuals that do not have immunity still have severe risk potential here so we look at the cases and even if a smaller percentage of those cases end up in the hospital eventually thinking about the number of people that are unvaccinated thinking about how quick this is moving in everybody showing up in the hospital, the same time.

You know, it's still a serious risk for both those individuals and for the hospital system says the state what is the state used to determine which variant.

>> Hospitalized people hat right so you know the state lab we sleep sequence all of the positives that we have the CDC also has a sequencing program where they collect samples of positives from.

>> Labs across the country.

I believe off the last forecast.

You know over 80% of the sequence positives were on the KRON and forecasting for North Carolina that is rapidly turning on the KRON is crowding out all the other variants as it's safe to assume as we move forward that pretty much every positive.

We're seeing is on the crime.

>> And then a question for any of you.

You know it there's or is almost final approval able to get for the 12 to 15 boosters but there's still this.

The youngest group of children who are unvaccinated.

So what which of those parents, those caregivers know as far as what they can do since they don't don't have any options right now they have doctored concert take this.

Thanks secretary.

>> Say CS as we know we know we're going to hear tomorrow whether CDC is recommending boosters around 5 to 12 year-old the younger age group from 6 months to 5 months, we know there are studies happening now to look at possible vaccination recommendations for that age group and so will hear further until then we you know have existing other tools that work masking being one of those really important tools.

It's also really important for those around children to be vaccinated so if you're around your age groups, you know one of the reasons vaccine.

So important is we are protecting them as well by getting ourselves vaccinated so again continue to practice is layered strategies vaccination masking testing really important as we continue to protect not only our children but other more members of our society, thanks.

>> And one more for.

Secretary the governor.

You and I think the secretary comes late mention about these.

That can 95 mask being available but to potential school staff but only upon request is there.

>> Is that a supply issue as far as if they would be like sent to schools if they need them is that only staff are available to students to what's the logistics there.

Thanks to the thing.

So the question.

>> You know because of the early work that we did in the pandemic we have built up a significant.

>> Supply of ppe including masks and then over 14 million and 95 they believe alone.

Schools or other critical essential services can make that request of the website online will work to provide that you know that people depend a bit on the but the volume needed but also size of asking these sorts of things so I think that right next step for providers or any entity that wants those baskets to go on to a website to make the request.

Thank you thank you.

We're now going to phones if we have any questions for him.

>> Media calling it calling it.

>> The question on the line it's an actually tally with WRAL.

Mike thank you for taking my call back to the testing for that.

>> Testing supplies question we've heard from several counties now at least 3 that are out of cash.

They say they've requested some from the state comments.

Almost a week ago and did not receive them is the state low on testing kits to distribute the counting.

>> Well we've had a record number of people to get tested and we know it's important to do it, I'll let secretary Ken lay address that specific question.

>> So we do have some rapid testing kits in our supply and we have additional orders out and we're waiting to hear from those suppliers when they will be delivered and so we're working to respond to those requests as quickly as we can to provide access to those test.

But again I want to remind folks there are more options than just the rapid test kits available for folks to get tested.

It's convenient and a lot of ways but there also, you know a lot of loud capacity and a lot of collection points.

You know as governor Cooper mentioned you know 90% of the testing capacity is available in the private market looking out at pharmacies with this free testing all these things you can find on the Web site to try different places.

Next question please.

>> Follow Ashley Talley WRAL.

Sorry just to follow up with that me.

>> You said that you do have some rapid test is I mean you have distributed all of the PCR test that the state has there are no more in research that correct.

>> And then my other question is beyond a push for boosters and more testing is there any other plan to limit the spread of the virus either a statewide mask mandate lift the you know indoor gatherings, happy that sort of thing thank you.

>> And so the question.

So it's important remember that the PCR test is done in a laboratory and so the collection for that test it was really a swab and a vile and he's done out in the field and then sent to the lab so the capacity and how that test is different than the rapid test.

The state has a great deal of vials and swabs and other supplies that are necessary to support testing.

That's not a limiting factor.

It's the collection sites in the community that we're continuing to partner with vendors and other entities to stand up more collection point we're in constant contact with our labs to process these they signal to us that their capacity to process these tests remains above what they're being demanded of and so that's great.

So that's how PCR test the rapid tests which are the stand alone.

Do it your own home test that you can pick up and have come to you.

Those tests.

We do have in short supply as we're seeing national shortages.

All over and so we continue to work to procure more we're excited for the Biden administration is doing to help create more access to those in potentially directly shipping them to folks homes.

So we'll continue to to really do everything possible work with all of our partners to increase access.

But again I can't drive home enough how important it is to be tested folks are doing the right thing they're getting the information they need.

This is a particularly tumultuous time.

Individuals pushing through that frustration to do the right thing is excellent.

And then I maybe turn things over to the governor for the other question.

We know that vaccines and boosters are our way out of this pandemic but we're also continuing to.

>> Strongly recommend mask when you're in a public place inside and for just people to use their common sense, we know so much more about this pandemic then we did before and we're trying to use all of that knowledge in it get it get it to people and I believe that we can we can get this virus to the pandemic stage which is what we wanted to we're going to have to learn how to live with it and continue to keep our kids in school and our businesses open and all of our government operations running effectively.

And officials for efficient Lee and we're going to do everything we can and do everything that's necessary to make sure we can do that.

>> Next question please.

Our next question is from Katie proud to actually Charlotte.

>> Good afternoon that Katie would actually Charlotte thanks so much for taking my question.

I had a question about reporting of at-home tests of at-home rapid tests.

Other states have reporting protocols, Washington DC has like a a portal that you can go online and felt that for us all to are you concerned about the fact that North Carolina doesn't have a system for putting these at home test.

Whether you know the positive result could if you.

The percent positive rate has something unrealistically low right now or conversely maybe if we have more negative results coming in that the percent positive rate could be something entirely different then and what it turns out to be.

You know that that nearly 30% rate is that something that North Carolina is looking into having some sort of call first off reported notes.

>> I'll hand this off to secretary Kinsley but I will say North Carolina has one of the best systems in the country for recording are PCR test which of course are the most accurate test that are collected and done in the lab and we keep all of the demographic information about what's going on out there we we we have a good database for vaccines.

So when you're talking about these at homes test I think you're really going to a lot of tests that would be out there.

I'm not sure that you could collect enough accurate information for it to be meaningful.

But I what Cody see what he says about that.

>> Thanks for the questions so I think that it's important to remember that we actually do have antigen tests that are reported to us now so with a number of providers where those are those tests are being administered in a particularly set environment whether that's through the local health Department or in schools we have created a tool where those entities where we can trust the end to and use of those tests and as the governor mentioned can collect the data necessary that's meaning for us for us to take action we are getting some of that information you can see on our dashboard we distinguish between the PCR test versus the antigen test that are reported to us and to your point out I would just emphasize further that you know.

Positions have a responsibility to also report positives and so if someone were to have it as a positive at home test they were to go to the doctor with that at home tests are guidance for them to treat that person is positive support that person is necessary and then also report it to the states we have a number of avenues by which we can get that information and make sure that we can have it in a way that we can take action thank you.

Next question please.

>> A final question that will conclude today's briefing from Michael purchased with wtvd.

>> Thank you for your time and taking my question I have to first have you had any conversation with the federal government about the availability of the newly authorized oral anti viral with a monoclonal antibody treatment that has to be effective against omicron and then second can you just clarify who should be tested.

The person that some doctors who are not advising asymptomatic people who may be that close contact.

Go ahead and get a test just because of the.

Shortages and long lines that we are seeing at some of the state, especially the past 48 hours.

Due to the severe weather.

So you can just cloud by who should be going out and getting tested as well as any conversations you had with the federal leaders about those newly authorized oral antiviral or monoclonal treatments.

Thank you.

>> We know that these treatments that are out there that are effective against omicron are in limited supply and I have had discussions and I know that secretary Kinsley has had discussions with the federal government about getting as much as we can for North Carolina we will be limited and the supplies that we get early on what sector cantlie talk about that in the testing issue as well.

>> Thanks governor and secretary.

So yes, you know we have been hearing and talking with the federal government around treatment availability.

North Carolina as governor already mentioned these treatments are incredibly limited in supply right now, we know certainly at the federal level they are working to increase.

The amount of treatment courses available, but they are limited and therefore we are encouraging providers to provide for the highest risk patients have severe disease and hospitalizations so again the best treatment is prevention and that is getting your vaccine.

So we you know encourage everybody if you haven't gotten your vaccine and please get your vaccine and certainly if you're eligible for your booster and have not gotten that please don't wait to get that now and then as far as the second question which you may have to repeat again it was around I believe testing that would you mind sharing that one more time.

>> Could be getting had you know there have been some doctors don't believe it and the medic people need to be getting Pat did.

Is that what advice from the state are folks who are close contacts even if they do feel fine or have been exposed should still be going ahead.

And getting those tests.

>> Thanks for that clarification so just last week we know CD supervisor quarantine and isolation guidance and we know as we've seen throughout this pandemic you know guidance continues to evolve as we get more data and that guidance right now recommends that if you have been exposed to somebody with COVID-19 and you're close contact that you should quarantine for 5 days and then get a test after that 5 days that the Sabal so that is the recommendation right now we're still continuing to encourage at of course.

We'll see as guidance continues to evolve where those recommendations go but that is the guidance right now.

Thank you.

>> Thank you everybody for joining us today.