>> Well good afternoon, everybody and thank you for joining today's update on COVID-19 in North Carolina.

As of today we have had 635,975 confirmed cases.

6,851 new cases since yesterday.

3,940 people in the hospital and sadly, 7,638 people who have died.

We continue to pray for those in North Carolina and across the country who lost loved ones.

And those who are still battling this cruel virus.

Just a few days ago.

Our country endured a violent attack on our nation's capital.

The seed of our democracy.

It left death and destruction.

Along with threats by some that there is more to come.

This assault on our democracy was the result of dangerous rhetoric lies and disinformation that spread far and wide.

It's a stark reminder that our words matter.

Words are powerful.

It can be used to help or form.

Last week we saw the words of elected leaders can cost lives.

Lies and misinformation have cost lives during this pandemic as well.

Our nation experienced a one-day peak in reported COVID-19 deaths on Thursday with 4,085.

More people could be alive today.

But for dangerous false hoods that have been spread about the critical importance of masks, social distancing.

And other common sense safety rules.

Words matter.

People listen to the leaders and often follow their calls and imitate their actions.

As the death toll from this pandemic continues to increase.

Our leaders must listen to science.

Focus on the facts.

And tell the truth with their words.

And the examples that they said.

The truth is that this disease is spreading fast.

We are in a dire situation.

The truth is in order to save lives people need to follow the safety protocols we have in place.

That means wearing a mask when we go out practicing social distancing.

Abiding by the modified stay at home order and avoiding gatherings with people who are in your household.

The simple measures work.

Another truth is that the vaccines are safe and effective.

And they will save lives.

Helping local health departments, hospitals and other Healthcare providers get vaccines in arms as quickly and as equitably as possible remains our top priority.

The state is continuing to see a steady increase in vaccination rates which is good.

We expect that to continue.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is working with several local communities to stand up large scale vaccination events in the coming days.

They can help get these doses out efficiently into our communities.

They're partnering with 14 health systems.

Local health departments and community centers in 13 counties.

And expect to give more than 45,000 vaccines just with those.

The state already is providing support to local health departments for staffing support.

And the Department of Health and Human Services and state emergency management had a fit then a 500's of state employees.

You can be deployed to assist with vaccine distribution in communities across the state.

We are encouraging other locals to asked the state for help.

Now I know that many of you are worried about your loved ones and yourselves.

You want to get a vaccine.

As soon as possible.

Right now local health departments, hospitals and other providers are vaccinating health care workers who are treating COVID-19 patients.

And up next are people age 75 and older.

And some areas have already started that which is good.

Vaccine supply across the country is severely limited.

But the goal is for us here.

To distribute as quickly as possible all of the vaccines given to North Carolina by the federal government and to be ready for much more.

People working night and day to make that happen.

At this time our recognize our secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services doctor Mandy Cohen for an update that code.

Thank you governor.

>> As you noted the events of last week brought home how dangerous and deadly miss information can be.

They also painted a vivid picture of how differently people experience was it what it is to be American based on their race and ethnicity.

Too often it is the color of someone's skin that predicts their health outcomes in almost every health measure communities of color fare worse including in this pandemic.

The root causes are complex interconnected and rooted instructional race is an implicit bias and longstanding inequities.

Pandemic didn't create the disparities it just made them acutely visible for all to see.

At the outset of this pandemic black and Hispanic let next North Carolinians experience much higher rates of COVID-19 than their white neighbors.

And black North Carolinians were disproportionately dying from the virus.

Our team has worked hard to do better.

Imbedded in all of our COVID-19 response is the goal of achieving health equity by investing in and directing resources to historically marginalized populations and by working with trusted community partners.

When we look at the data since the start of this pandemic we are seeing progress.

While black and african-american communities make up 22% of North Carolina's population.

They are now 20% of the cases and 26% of deaths that is improved since the summer when black African Americans were 33% of deaths, Hispanic Inlet next North Carolinians are still experiencing higher case rates.

Well they're just under 10% of our population, they are 24% of cases and 8% of deaths.

They're making progress since the summer when they were at 45% of cases.

We still have work to do we know that the injustice sees that drive these disparities can also cause very legitimate reasons for people to be hesitant about vaccines.

We're working hard to ensure historically marginalized populations are informed about the importance of getting vaccinated.

We want them to know it is safe and that it is critically important that all North Carolinians including communities of color.

And those who work in hospital settings both caregivers and residents with in long-term care.

People on the front lines and our older residents.

That's why we're partnering with trusted leaders and organizations to provide accurate information to communities.

Our new video for older North Carolinians is a great example and so let's take a moment to watch it right now.

>> I want all the people who are my age to enjoy their golden years.

I mean it just makes good sense.

The try to protect yourself.

I've got.

Great grandchildren out there I haven't seen.

>> And I'm looking forward to that.

>> I'm asking my seniors in my young people to encourage my seniors in my young people to participate in this process what you do.

You also know that now keep your neighbor.

We use well to help keep them healthy too.

I'm excited really I'm grateful and taking the shot is what's best for all.

I encourage all of us to to say I'm not through.

There are things I still have left to do and I'm going to fight this and I'm going to get vaccinated.

>> Feel very much that this allows me to be more in control of my life.

Less fearful.

I mean I won't wear a mask, I will take it seriously.

We can beat.

You have a spot.

Take your shot you have a spot.

>> Take your shot you have a special spot.

So clean.

Take your shot you have a spot take your shot.

>> This video and others are on our website your spot your shot that and C .gov.

As the governor mentioned we continue to accelerate vaccinations we had a 113% increase in vaccinations over the past 7 days compared to the week before over 100,000 doses were given in just the past 7 days.

Because of how the vaccines are shipped the timing of the shipments in the amount of vaccine available.

In the country.

Most vaccine sites have very limited supplies.

Therefore while most of our counties have started vaccinating anyone over 75 and older, there will still be a wait for most people.

Well the department our hospitals and our local health departments are working hard to scale up vaccines were also in the midst of the most dangerous moment yet in this pandemic.

On Saturday we had well over 11,000 new cases reported in just 24 hours.

The percent of our tests that are positive is over 13%.

Well above the 5% mark I'd like to see our hospitals are stretched.

Yesterday they reported that 75% of staffed hospital beds are in use and 84% of staffed ICU beds were in use.

This virus is everywhere.

Just over our borders on our doorstep it's even worse.

In South Carolina, 25% of tests were positive yesterday, Virginia, 16% in Georgia, 18%.

We cannot let down our guard.

North Carolinians should stay home.

You should only leave home for essential activities such as going to work or school for health care to care for family members or buy food.

Keep up with the 3 W's always wear a face mask, wait 6 feet apart and wash your hands often you can save lives.

Whatever your reason get behind the mask and remember you have a spot.

Take your shot.

Thank you governor.

Thank you doctor.

Cohen.

>> As you can see North Carolina continues to increase the pace of vaccinations.

Doctor Cohen serious warnings need to be heard and acted on.

After almost a year battling this virus.

We must not get numb to the numbers.

They are not just statistics or data points on a graph.

Behind these cases and these numbers, a real people.

Our neighbors friends family members co-workers North Carolinians.

Preventing the spread of COVID-19 and saving lives is up to each of us right now.

Words are powerful.

And this time to use them for good.

North Carolinians are strong and I know we're up to the task.

Also with me today is secretary public safety, Eric hooks emergency management director Mike sprayberry commissioner of prisons Todd issue.

And National Guard.

Educate general Todd hunt.

Monica mcgee and Bryan Tipton our sign language interpreters behind the scenes, Jackie the to veer and Erica cooler.

Our Spanish language interpreters.

We'll now take questions from the media and if you can give us your name and your organization will take first morning.

>> Our first question is from direct challenge or with FOX 40 sex.

>> Thank you for taking my question is is there a double to a Sox we 6 news app and number the question I think is probably more applicable for doctor Cohen on the numbers of people that are declining the vaccine.

We will know that it's not necessarily mandatory in some respects.

But I'm wondering is there the numbers of people that the decline in the back seat so far is that significant.

>> We are particularly concerned about people who are turning down the vaccine who are staffing our long-term Healthcare facilities.

But it's one of the reasons why are the department is getting out the public service announcements like you just saw and working hard at the grassroots levels to try to raise the level of trust.

But I'll let doctor Cohen address that.

>> Garrett the governor got it exactly right.

We are concerned and we are seeing a higher rate of decline of the vaccine, particularly in those in our African American and Hispanic communities.

We are working with a number of community organizations training them on all of the vaccine info that they might need to answer questions for their own community members.

We continue to do that day over day.

And it's been a great partnership and I think this is where we need all of the folks in the media we've been talking today about words mattering and making sure that we can get out good information and I thank all our partners in the media for helping us get out the good information about vaccines.

They are safe.

They are affected they effective they've been tested, you cannot get covid from the vaccine, folks need to be hearing those messages from trusted sources of information to make sure when they're shot when they're shot their spot to take a shot comes up that they do in fact say yes to that vaccine.

We know it is the way we're going to beat back this pandemic thank you.

>> Next question please.

>> Follow-up care Dellinger FOX 40 sex.

>> My second question does not have to do with covid it actually has to do with any extra security measures to any potential worries you are worried about it for the next few days.

Specifically at the Capitol possibly even the governor's mansion in any security measures that are being taken place to ensure the safety of legislators, but also about yourself and also be state employees there.

>> There is concerned about the potential threats of violence or threats that are already out there.

Our secretary of the department of Public safety has been coordinating with local and federal officials and secretary hooks.

I let you say a word to people about that this is secretary public safety.

Erik hooks.

Thank you governor, as the governor mentioned I have been in constant contact with all of our partners in state law enforcement local law enforcement and our federal partners.

>> As well in fact last night I told at land with the special agent in charge with the FBI as we talked about.

Potentially eventuality is there we want to make sure that we maintain a high level of vigilance that we will partner in that we're well positioned to address any threat that comes our way.

Thank you.

Mister secretary next question place.

>> Our next question is from dawn Vaughn with the news and for all.

>> I've gone on and on and on forever.

The fence just in today that there are now urging states to vaccinate everyone aged 65 and older adults under 65 the document health issues.

So why eyes on North Carolina, changing the father federal guidelines.

And our health Department able to that makes some days a week and what health care they need to get that happening now.

>> Well first it's the number one priority of the state of North Carolina to get vaccines administered to people as quickly and as equitably as possible.

One of the continuing problems that we have had with the federal government is that they have continued to shift their advice on what the priorities for the vaccine should be.

We all know that there are severely limited amount so the back scenes, manufacturers are making them now.

But we have known from the get go that we were going to need to prioritize vaccines.

And we have seen several iterations of their recommendations to the state and I just got off the phone with vice president parents and the coronavirus TASKFORCE and for the first time.

It was put forth that state should look at not only 75 and older for the first charge after health care workers working with COVID-19 patients but then moved to 65 through age 74.

This recommendation I think was was based upon the fact that the virus is so ride spread across the country that we know that older people get hit with this.

I know that doctor Cohen is going to go back to her staff, right now the state is in vaccinating health care workers working with covid and vaccinating people 75 and over so we have not gotten to.

The next wrong to people yet.

So we will look at that to determine whether that should be done it makes sense to consider doing that.

And as for expanding hours of vaccinations I a lot of.

Local health departments and hospitals have been a very short time.

I used up their supplies very quickly.

But there's no question in my mind the places that are taking longer to distribute their doses should have more hours.

And I'll let doctor Cohen comment on on all of all of that.

>> Thank you governor, yes, we will take the new recommendations that literally are coming out and we haven't even seen them in writing yet, but we will examine those and understand how that fits into the work that we've been doing obviously we have a North Carolina vaccine advisory committee that has been pulled together as well going to want their input and then we'll come back obviously very quickly getting this kind of advice in the middle of all this is obviously very challenging but we will take a look at that and incorporate it into our work going forward.

And as far as helping our local health departments.

I want to commend that there are a number of them who are doing a tremendous job and have no vaccine left they have they have they have given all the vaccine that they that they have and I think they've been doing a terrific job there are others though that still have vaccine and we need to support them in getting that out whether that as the governor said expanded hours if it's answering the phones if it's checking folks in if it's actually delivering the vaccine.

We want to be helpful.

I want to thank my partners in emergency management who are coordinating.

This effort to help pair staffing support to our counties.

The National Guard is certainly one piece of it, but just a small piece of a larger staffing effort so help is available to our local partners we're actually going one by one calling them asking them.

How can we help you be successful with getting all the vaccine.

You have out.

Within the next week.

So we're partnering with in in any way that we can to support them in getting the vaccine out to heed the governor's up call for us to work urgently to end to get all of our vaccine out as quickly as possible.

Next question please.

>> Follow Jon Bon news and observer.

>> I think for the follow-up so how quickly is our potential criteria going to change man with the new federal guidance and how quickly can the Health Department be open 7 days a week or more get that support so they can.

>> You know all the things that we have already and you mentioned that there are large scale that nations that are nothing out give me details about that.

>> I will first we want to make sure that these vaccines get out as quickly and efficiently as possible.

And already we have provided help to local health Department apartments and hospitals and are ready to supply that help anytime as to the criteria.

We want to make sure that we have that criteria changed if we're going to before we move into the next group.

So I know that doctor Cohen in her advisory committee will work very quickly to make sure that we just power recommendations accordingly.

Doctor Redfield and secretary Azar on the phone today.

I don't know if the CDC advisory committee who has been working on this has agreed with the moving to age 65.

Group but we're going to look at that and I think come forward very quickly with recommendations so that we will move out into the next ones and I don't know if doctor Cohen you've got specifics on these other things.

>> I Don on our high throughput vaccination sites.

We essentially asked providers across the state.

How if if we were able to allocate additional vaccine how much could you scale up in this next week essentially working with 10 sites across the state.

Some here in the triangle the Triad in the in the Charlotte area in the West and.

Asheville-buncombe area and then as well as out East so at covering the geography of the state, but also these higher throughput sites where we believe we can get out as much as 45,000 vaccinations and the governor mentioned earlier but just it's those sites alone in addition to all of the other sites that are working across our state.

At those sites have already done some press I know here appreciate our partners at wake med UNC Duke who are supporting those efforts in the triangle area, I know that they've been standing those up in accelerating and scaling their work so we're appreciative of those partners that have stepped forward in addition we continue to hear of great offers of of support and partnership and we're working through that.

And I'm so appreciate what folks are offering space vaccinators as well as other logistical help and we're certainly integrating that into our plan and under an certainly very appreciative of that as we as we move forward in our work.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Liam Collins with W I PM.

I after that Liam Collins, the W like you and thanks for taking my question.

You know we on Earth and that we're on.

Now learning quickly in terms of that nation's but.

>> CDC data suggest that the state is at its lowest in the country.

For vaccine rollout several small counties just begun their vaccination process where at our neighbors like Virginia already vaccine, teachers and police officers, I'm wondering on what is your understanding for why they haven't been able to get to that scene off the shelves that some of our other states with higher percentages.

>> Thanks for that.

I think everyone shares the sense of urgency to vaccinate as quickly as possible and states are approaching this differently I know my partners and in Virginia who we talked to you often instead of going directly to those who are 75 and older went to some of their front-line essential workers first again how are they going to integrate this new guidance from the federal government, I bet we will have a phone call to understand how they are handling it, but each state is doing this slightly differently for us initially we prioritize getting vaccine out to all 100 counties we wanted there to be an access point in all 100 counties.

Here and so now what we're making sure is that all 100 counties and all of those access points can in fact really get that vaccine out and if they can't figure out how can we support them to be successful.

And if we need to have them transfer that vaccine to others who can get that vaccine out.

So that is why you're seeing us rebalance and think about these higher throughput site in addition to supporting all of our counties with an additional access points.

We'll continue to work urgently to make sure we can get as many vaccines out as quickly as possible.

Thank you.

Next question please.

>> Although up me and Colin W ITN.

>> I asked are going up quick follow-up on a different subject the county Health Department have said that they haven't been getting as much Moderna vaccine hospitals in our area getting Pfizer vaccine what is the reasoning behind that and how much exactly or is being sent out across the state.

>> Highly and I think this up speaks back to the fact that the way the vaccine is packaged by each manufacturer is different for the Pfizer vaccine in order to ship them they have to come in a pack or a unit of 700 eyesight 975 doses so if you get any Pfizer you have to get at least 975 doses.

Moderna packs differently it packs a 100 and so depending on how we did that allocation is one place in a county was going to get a Pfizer allocation they were automatically going to get 975 so the math isn't perfect here because of the way folks are shipped.

We what we tried to do is balance the number of doses per population in the county, then look at the number of vaccines sites and administration partners that we had and then distribute that but again because of that packaging it wasn't always precise.

Well we have seen is great partnership between health departments and hospitals where we actually asked them to share that 975 so that's terrific and we want to support more of that.

Partnership we just want to get this out faster and if folks need more arms and legs.

People answer the phone whatever they need we want to help them make sure that they can get this vaccine out quickly thank you.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Laura Lee with Carolina public press.

Good afternoon governor Marley to Carolina public press.

Thank you for taking my question.

You don't pick a little bit earlier about the disproportionate impact on black and brown North Carolinian in terms of covid cases.

When you look at the mortality dot you see.

You know just 4% rate.

For what mortality for black and brown individuals.

That would clearly to that population got between 6575 I just wondered if you could speak a little bit about the decision not yet moved to what the federal.

The CDC recommended this morning which would have included population 65 and over.

>> Well first there's been no decision yet for North Carolina about whether we are going to follow the recommendation that we just got a couple of hours ago.

We want to take.

Time to look at it and talk with our partners but I but I with think that maybe we would want to do that but I'll let doctor Cohen address to rest of your question.

>> Thanks to the question.

I think the reason we didn't exclusively go with age as our first way of approaching this is because age alone doesn't address some of the equity issues that you mentioned in your question.

We know because of historical health inequities that unfortunately life expectancy for those who are.

African American or Hispanic or not as long and dust age alone on actually doesn't adjust that is why we also wanted to take into account exposure to this virus, particularly for those who are on the front lines of a meeting to leave their home to go to work and even when they do that work can't be socially distant and thinking of our police officers and thinking of child care workers and others who have been going to work whether it's to protect us or take care of our children.

Throughout this pandemic and so I think when we were originally approaching this we're looking at both the risk of death and disease from from covid as well as exposure.

Now with this new guidance we definitely want to take that and understand the CDC.

Guidance here again, we haven't even seen that in writing yet.

We will work with our vaccine advisory committee and then we will we will make sure that we are communicating as quickly as we can Howard and incorporate that thank you.

Next question please.

>> Follow-up Laura Lee Carolina public press.

>> Thank you put out my mother questions about the 45,000 doses the little bit of these high throughput patients that you're setting up and then this is going to come out of the allocation that the 120 I think the estimate weekly allocation and other concerns about people and let's populated places not being able to receive vaccine that's 45 or diverted to the larger population centers.

>> One thing people can travel across the state to get vaccines and they're going to work to put these high throughput places in some of the rural areas, particularly in places where local health departments may be struggling to administer the vaccine.

I think that they're going to be even more providers who are going to be involved in this process the 45,000 does come out of North Carolina's a lot but doctor Cohen.

>> Hi Laura the way we got to be able to allocate going forward is we look to see who had vaccine that they were still administering and then we weren't going to allocate them any in addition.

So wide by not being allocating certain folks additional vaccine while that used up their backlog we were able to accumulate enough to put towards these high throughput sites.

There are some sites to we said would you like it additional vaccine, they said no.

We actually need to decline it for a variety of reasons again that helped us contribute to the these high throughput sites as well so we did do a reallocation based on the efficiency of of getting our vaccine out and that's how we're able to get to some of these high throughput sites as we go forward.

>> Next question place.

>> Our next question is from Travis Fain with WRAL.

>> Yeah, thank you governor, I know you have the call today with the vice president I wonder if any of the other governors on the call after the by the book on the 25th amendment and if so what the answer was.

>> I know no one did it was exclusively about the pandemic and Prevention prevention has measures and it was entire coronavirus task force with secretary Azar direct Redfield doctor birx and so no nobody that I heard to to come in here I had to leave the staff are listening to some of the very last of the meeting we're governors were making some comments something could have been said after I after I left are and to come in here to do this.

Next question please.

>> Next question is from Chandler Morgan with wbtv.

>> I never this is Chandler Morgan from wbtv several major hospitals in Charlotte are reporting 85 to 95% ICU beds occupied is that something that's concerning to you and then what will the state do to help to support hospitals if needed.

>> First it is deeply concerning to us and doctor Cohen is talking to hospital ceo's almost on a daily bases.

I've had a number of conversations with them as well and I think the first thing that a hospital CEO would tell each and every one of us if he or she talked to us would be please wear your mask please be socially distant.

Please wash your hands.

Please follow the safety protocols because we have a lot of safety protocols in place and they know that the more this virus is spread the more people who are going to get it.

The more people who are going to get sick.

They have to come into their hospitals in the ICU bed.

So they would tell you about that and we are deeply concerned about it.

They learned a lot as we gear it up this prep past spring.

And many of them are reducing and some eliminating their elective procedures in order to free up beds.

And we are offering any assistance to them that they need and we'll continue to to communicate with them as we go forward you want to add I think that doctor Cohen says not.

Next question please.

>> Follow cheddar Morgan wbtv.

>> Hi governor as a follow-up question related to education with the rising cases why hasn't the guy change for school operations.

Why are certain grade levels still allowed to go to school under plan a with the least amount of social distancing what you guys continues to repeat is important.

When cases are continuing to be concerning.

>> Well first.

We are to have left options for schools plans a B or C. Which all require strong safety protocols in the schools.

There was a recent study done by do can I think UNC that showed that there was very little virus spread coming from our public schools which is a good thing which shows us that many schools are abiding by the safety protocols.

We're continuing to leave that as a local option as to whether that the school is in plan a B or C dot Cohen would you want to add anything to that she does not.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Michael Hyland with CBS 17.

Hi this is Michael Hyland at CBS 17 I had a question related to the first come first serve vaccine distribution site you can see.

>> You'll then reiterated guidance for people to stay home as much as possible and for people 65 and older to even get their medications or groceries delivered to them.

Yet we're seeing people line up for hours at a time sometimes not even getting.

The vaccine.

So you can ask the vaccine providers to stop doing the first come first serve method and switch to appointments and is there anything getting in the way up to about.

>> Well first I'll I'll let doctor Cohen respond to this but I will say that the guidance given to local health departments and hospitals strongly recommends appointments.

Our emergency management teams have been activated and we contacted emergency management directors in each County.

To provide help to local health departments, if they need help answering the phone if they need help.

Technical assistance.

We also have the National Guard activated to help do that.

So we strongly recommend appointments even if it's in groups because we know that it's not good to have people in line and particularly that age but I'll let doctor Cohen address that specifically.

>> Well governor you you handle that perfectly and that that is our guidance to try to do appointments but I would say they see a lot of counties that if they are moving to a first come first serve, they're doing it as has drive-thru which I applaud so if you're going to do that not use appointments trying to keep everyone social distance and use a car similar to how we did with testing that can keep everyone distant they could stay in the car and they can move move through as they get the vaccine sites up but again we are encouraging best practices of doing appointments.

But if you are going to be doing that first come first serve to do that and as a drive-thru.

It is a is a better practice then having, folks wait up potentially in person line thinks.

>> Next question please.

>> Our final question is from Jason the brewing with North Carolina public radio.

>> I think so the question is is Jason to brew in North Carolina, public radio.

So talking a little bit about the high.

Throughput site that's oppose that implies that there are also low throughput side to sort of talk about those.

Fair to think about this first round distribution is almost like a trial run.

By dhhs where you wanted to see which counties were going to be able to get the vaccine out quickly into arms.

And and sort of identify the ones that needed a little bit of help so that now and in the second-round and third-round distributions and as you said you can sort of target.

Some areas for.

More doses of vaccine and others for fewer.

>> Thanks for that that question we did prioritize getting the vaccine into all 100 counties and so to all of our local health departments until hospitals that were in all of our counties and because the supply was so limited for certain counties that could mean a 100 doses for an entire week, so when we're talking about high throughput and 45,000 in a week and that at 10 site there are some that that have just a few doses over the course of a week, but we wanted to make sure we got that geographic distribution I think what we're trying to find that right balance of speed as well as that geographic distribution, but we also want to be focus on other types of equity we were talking about making sure that our African American and Hispanic Latin X communities are having access to the vaccine as well so we're trying to employ a lot of strategies and we will continue to of all this to make sure we're we're solving for speed.

And we're solving for equity at the same time thank you.

>> Thank you all very much for joining us today.

We encourage everybody to continue to follow safety protocols in to stay safe.

Thank you so much.