>> Good afternoon I'm Mandy Cohen, I'm secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and today, I'm joined by director of emergency management Mike sprayberry Monica mcghee is our American sign language interpreter and Jackie and jasmine metivier or Spanish interpreters.

As far as today's numbers as of this morning, there were 9,853 new cases reported today.

3,990 people are currently hospitals hospitalized right now across North Carolina.

And sadly there have been 7,825 deaths.

We continue to accelerate vaccinations across the state.

The past 7 days, hospitals and local health departments have increased the number of vaccinations given by 133% compared to the 7 days before that.

Today we reported that providers have given 326,198 vaccinations that 326,198 vaccinations but remember there's also data lag.

And total vaccinations allocated to our state include a 160,000 for our long-term care facilities.

As well as vaccines that were allocated to our state for the week but have not actually yet been received by our vaccine.

Providers.

We will continue to offer support to our local health departments and hospitals to get shots in arms faster.

On Tuesday.

The governor shared that in the coming week we will have large community vaccination events in 13 counties and as of today that's expanded to be in 23 counties spanning the entire state from the mountains to the coast.

Partners were selected based on their ability to administer a large number of vaccine doses or to provide access to vaccines to marginalized communities.

I want to thank emergency management and the National Guard for their supporting these efforts.

Additionally today Honeywell atrium health Tepper sports and entertainment who on the Panthers and the Charlotte Motor Speedway announced a unique public private partnership to support the goal of 1 million COVID-19 vaccinations by July 4th of 2021.

They plan to vaccinate as many people as quickly and efficiently as possible with a focused on our underserved communities.

Governor Cooper is committed to partnering with businesses and health care providers to get vaccines and people's arms as quickly and as equitably as possible.

Because the supply of vaccine is limited.

We have prioritized vaccinating people who are at the highest risk of being hospitalized or dying.

And those at highest risk for exposure.

Starting today to align with the new federal priorities and to facilitate speed of vaccinations vaccine providers that are ready to can expand to now vaccinate all health care workers and anyone who is 65 years and older.

We continue to move through our vaccination groups giving local providers the flexibility to move to the next priority group as they complete the previous ones and have vaccine available.

So to reiterate providers can now vaccinate all health care workers.

And those ages 65 and over.

Next will be our frontline essential workers followed by adults with high risk of exposure and increased risk of serious illness.

And then any North Carolinians.

We know that counties are in various stages as they deal with new cases in vaccinations these factors along with limited supply means that many folks will have to wait before a vaccine is available for them.

We're working hard to ensure that North Carolinians are informed about the importance of getting vaccinated understandably many people still have concerns.

It can be hard to know what is true and what can be trusted.

We are here to provide you with the honest factual information about vaccines.

There are currently only 2 COVID-19 vaccines.

Everyone who gets the Pfizer vaccine.

No matter race ethnicity and age gender they all get the same vaccine.

This is the same thing that's true for the Moderna vaccine.

Scientists had a head start in developing the vaccines.

The vaccine's use a method that researchers have been studying and working with for decades.

All vaccines are tested for safety and effectiveness before their authorized more than 70,000 people volunteered in clinical trials for the vaccines to make sure they were safe and worked to prevent COVID-19.

Results from those research trials showed that the vaccines are 95% effective in preventing COVID-19.

There were no serious safety concerns noted in those clinical trials.

You may have temporary actions like a sore arm headache or feeling, tired and achy for a day or 2 after receiving the vaccine.

You can not get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

That seems use and RNA to give the cells in your body.

The instructions to make a protein that safely teaches your body had to make antibodies to fight the real COVID-19.

Your body destroys that mrna and gets rid of it.

It doesn't stay nor does it alter any DNA in your body.

The only other ingredients in the vaccine or salt sugar and fat.

The vaccines do not contain eggs.

Preservatives fetal tissue, stem cells Mercury microchips or any other ingredients.

There are no data that show vaccines negatively impact your ability to get pregnant in the future.

You won't be fully immune to COVID-19 until one to 2 weeks after your second vaccine.

Vaccines are the best way to end this pandemic and save lives.

It will take time for everyone who wants COVID-19 vaccination to get one and I encourage everyone to go to your spot your shot and C .gov to get accurate information about COVID-19 vaccine development.

Testing safety and reactions.

It's your spot for reliable information.

Now I've spent most of my time this afternoon talking about vaccines.

But unfortunately, we know supplies are still very limited.

Today we face the immediate and dangerous situation of extremely high numbers of people having covid here in North Carolina and record numbers of people in the hospital.

The percent of tests that were positive our triple of that where we want to be and there is a new and much more contagious variant of COVID-19 in our country.

My directive remains in place.

Stay home.

Only leave home for essential activities like work.

School or to meet health care needs.

If you must leave home or be with other people who you don't live with wear a mask all the time.

Stay at least 6 feet apart and wash your hands often keep doing those 3 W's so we can slow this virus down while we get everyone a spot to get their shot.

With that I will turn it over to director Mike sprayberry for a few remarks.

>> Thank you madam secretary and thank you for your continued outstanding leadership.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Today is day 311 of the state emergency response team activation for the COVID-19 response.

Before I begin my update.

The state emergency response team gives a hearty and heartfelt thank you to our local partners who are making it happen with their grit expertise and strong partnership.

The health Department's emergency management agency's P sets.

Healthcare organizations firefighters emergency services law enforcement and all the other disciplines that are tirelessly working each and every day to protect all North Carolinians we know that you have been in the trenches from the very beginning fighting relentlessly to mitigate the spread of this virus.

Please know that we appreciate you so much and I are here to support you.

The first national Guard team supporting vaccination sites began work this week.

So far 24 National Guard personnel are on scene assisting Albemarle regional health services and the Forsyth County Health Department with plans for over 250 to be at work across the state by the end of next week.

We have new requests from counties for vaccination support coming in every day keep them coming.

This support is being provided with a mix of National Guard soldiers and airmen.

Some are health care workers like medics and nurses who are giving vaccinations others are assisting with administrative tasks like vaccine data entry or would logistic support.

I want to note that the other National Guard members are continuing to provide vital support to food banks and rapid covid testing sites across the state.

We're also coordinating volunteers who can support vaccination sites statewide organizations like our outstanding civil air patrol and community emergency response teams already lending a hand.

If you would like to register as a volunteer to help it vaccination sites or medical facilities.

There is a Web site set up for that this is terms dot in C e M .org.

That's tea or him as terms dot in C e M .org.

You will go into a pool of volunteers to be screened.

And if approved you could be called on to assist and a vaccination site or medical facility in your area.

I want to note that the National Guard support for COVID-19 is separate from the mobilization that governor Cooper announced yesterday with 550 additional members activated to support security operations here in North Carolina and in our nation's capital related to the inaugural events.

350 of these troops will be on duty beginning this weekend in North Carolina and 200 are headed to the National capital region where they will join National Guard elements from other states and providing law enforcement support.

In closing.

Let's encourage everyone to get the vaccine when your turn comes.

It's safe and it's free.

I'm sure looking forward to getting the shot when my turn comes.

You have a spot.

So take your shot with viral spread critical levels it's more important now than ever to observe the 3 W's wear a face covering wait at least 6 feet apart and wash your hands often that's where wait and wash and as always don't forget to look out for your family friends neighbors to call your loved one's daily with kindness engine cooperation will all get through this together is one team one mission and one family.

Thank you madam secretary.

>> Thank you director with that we will take your questions.

>> First question today is from will Michael Wu in the video.

>> And Cohen will Michaels a wfp thanks for taking my question does the state intends to follow the recent guidance from the Trump administration, not to hold back second doses of the vaccine.

>> Well thanks for that.

Question so we're still awaiting exact details from the federal government about how they're going to be doing the release or they just releasing second doses.

There's also.

A wrap up some additional doses that they were holding back in case anything happened related to shipping or manufacturing.

So we're chill still trying to understand exactly what is being released and when what I want to make sure for or vaccinating providers is that they know that that second dose is going to be there so that they don't hold back and giving first doses what we've heard from a number of providers as we've done our work to understand what might be holding them back from getting all the vaccine.

Out the door.

Some are reporting back to us to say you know, I'm holding this for a second dose and we had to sort of clarify hey how here is how second doses are going to come to you.

So we want to make sure we're understanding that process from the federal government to the state and then to our vaccine providers because we don't want anything that will hold up having our vaccine providers feel like they can get out as many of those first doses as they can so that they have that second is guaranteed to be there when they need it so we're working through those details and still need to understand some of that from the federal government.

Thanks.

>> Have a follow-up will Michaels community.

Thank you for that are controlling the other question I was about to wreck your givers of older adults do they fall into this category.

>> Of health care workers or and if not which phase of the vaccination do they fall into.

>> Well I'll have to follow up with you to see whether or not they follow fall into the category of direct health care workers less follow up with you on that.

>> The next question is from Tina Terry that wfmz-tv Charlotte.

>> Good afternoon doctor Cohen thank you so much for doing this can you please share more information about the new high throughput vaccination site particularly the one operated by a tree and help the Charlotte area.

We'll read operate as a drive-thru vaccination clinic.

In how will you provide medical staff at the I know that that a problem but in general finding medical staff.

I'm to deal with actor nations as well as.

Hospitalizations also is this new public private partnership involving extreme health part.

I threw quick vaccination plan.

Or is that something different.

>> But I work backwards from your question so I'll start with the the announcement bade that was a partnership between Honeywell atrium health Tepper entertainment and the Charlotte Motor Speedway is a new and separate edition.

To what we are already working through which is some of these community-based high throughput sites.

So we're we're excited to have new private partner a pi private public partnership coming together in the Charlotte area and there's others that are in discussion for other parts of the state.

So that is a new partnership I know they are still working through that the details in the logistics is is it going to be drive-thru how is that staffing going to work.

But I think that's why that partnership is is fantastic.

I know Honeywell and they work on logistics atrium has the clinical support.

So I think that and then.

Our folks in in the Panthers organization that and Charlotte Motor Speedway have space right so I think that's the kinds of partnerships that we love to see coming together for those high, throughput sites and I mentioned that are now going to be in 23 counties across the state.

Those are being handled in a number of different ways some of them are being supported directly by some of our our health care provider.

There are hospitals.

Directly on and you heard director sprayberry talk about some of them are getting supported by then the National Guard, so it's a mix of ways in which staffing is going to be supported sometimes is from the health system or the local health Department, sometimes it's volunteer sometimes it's our National Guard and it's going to take that whole approach and we're going to need to use different approaches in different places in the state to make sure that we can have that scene access points across our state that allow us to also get to that level of speed that we want to that is certainly top of mind that sense of urgency of wanting to get shots into arms quickly.

So we're grateful to all the many partners who are working in those 23 counties to get those high throughput sites.

That's in addition to our hospitals and health departments that continue to do the work that they've been doing over the last number of weeks, some of them have what I would also consider high throughput sites.

They're doing drive-thru vaccination sites or larger events so I think you're each community is tailoring to the needs of what they see there on the ground as well as what they have available in terms of space and staff and other.

We're just trying to partner with them and support them with whatever needs that they have.

Thanks.

>> Follow-up impugn the cherry the U.S. o C. Thank you doctor Cohen one more question can you explain where the vaccine is coming from to operate these new.

The report cites high throughput fight is this coming from a surplus that the state has I think some counties are confirmed that the vaccine that could go to them, we'll be said to be new.

Now back the nation's site please provide clarity there.

>> So when the federal government does its allocation to our state every week and then we at the state decide in turn where should we ship that vaccine too and so we have data to help us understand how much vaccine is across our state and in in in the hands of our vaccine partners and what we've been doing over the last week is trying to understand if folks are out of vaccine which we can see in the data or if they still have vaccine.

Sitting there on the shelf and how can we support them in getting that vaccine out as quickly as possible.

So this next week of allocation and these higher, throughput events came about because there are some who still have vaccine sitting on the shelf that they're working to get through so they don't need new vaccine.

This week we're able to take that that that vaccine that may have gone to them in the past couple of weeks, we're able to use that and concentrate it in some of these higher throughput sites.

We are asking all of our providers to give us very specific plans about how they are going to be able to get any vaccine.

We give them out in 7 days right we get shipments every 7 days or so and we want to make sure that the shipments were getting in are going to be able to get out into arms within those 7 days and that's what we're working with our providers asking them how are they going to do that how can we support them in being successful, we know some of them still have vaccine.

That is there we want to make sure over the next 7 days to get it out for that that that additional vaccine that we that we have we're putting in those high throughput sites again those who are able to to to articulate to us that they can can scale up activities to get that vaccine out in the next 7 days.

>> Next question is from Jonah Kaplan with ABC 11.

Good afternoon doctor Cohen director sprayberry up to see people kind of a simple question I'm over 65 and I'm watching this now I learned I can get the vaccine.

What I do that.

What do I do now what do I call where do I go.

Thanks very much.

>> Thanks Jonah well.

The first thing I would say is you can look on our website your spot, your shot dot NC .gov.

On that website you'll see a list of vaccine providers by County it a list either local health departments or hospital systems and it will.

Also indicate these high throughput of community based vaccination sites.

Then we'd encourage you to either call or get in touch with those vaccine providers in your area, you don't need to feel limited to those that are in your County.

But it may be someone something that is close to your home that you're able to to to drive to an end an access so I would go to your spot your shot that NC .gov that will give you the list of those vaccine providers as well as phone phone calls sometimes they have online systems on that they are using for vaccine again that would be indicated there or you can call their main number and find out what their processes as well.

>> Follow-up Jonah Kaplan ABC 11.

Appreciate that doctor Cohen of my next question is what would it take for a vaccine could happen.

Police going door to Marina or at PNC arena at what some of the other large scale places like the Raleigh Convention Center we're seeing it happen.

In other states across the country.

You just talk briefly about public private partnership with the Charlotte Motor Speedway so what needs to happen before we get into some of these bigger venues, instead of jump a hospital or health clinic.

Thanks.

>> Thanks Joe.

That's exactly the kinds of conversations we're having now to bring together those partners both the space.

The clinical expertise send staff and then the logistical support so I think we're working through that it was you know I was so appreciative of the partnership that came together in the Charlotte area.

I think we'll see that in other places around the state I know that that folks are in conversations in a number of ways.

I do want to remind folks though that vaccine supply is limited so when you think about high, throughput events remember we're getting only about a 120,000 new doses every week our goal is to get all of those doses out every week and we certainly have a bit of ground to make up here.

But when you think about those large scale events we still have very limited vaccine.

So it's not going to be something that can can run 2424.

7.

We just don't have that now amount of vaccine.

So we're figuring out what is that appropriate scale where should those locations be how can we think about equity and accessing.

Making sure this access points for our underserved communities.

All those things are going in to discussions we're having we're very appreciative of all of the the folks who are stepping up to the plate to help us execute this really really important.

This important goal of getting getting all North Carolinians vaccinated thanks.

>> Next question is from Adam Wagner with the news and observer.

I took a take on DEC we think my question.

Against to start just a point of clarification on the 45,000 doses.

It was coming from next week's allocation or they redistributed come this week and then also with the high throughput say.

It is the timing on that.

Once the dental with the cdc's announcement that they could be allocating vaccine if it can't get out or just part of an effort to really kind of.

In a speech where North Carolina will be seen 7 on a vaccine will come forward.

>> Thanks Adam.

I think we've all shared a sense of urgency of wanting to get vaccine into arms as quickly as possible, so this was all already work that's been under way and to bring together the logistics the clinical and the actual space to make make sure that these kinds of things happen as far as the 45,000 that you mention that was what was arriving either yesterday or today about that that amount of vaccine that's what we were talking about.

For going into the weekend and through the next week.

Now we are working on the next allocation we always move into that next out Haitian and are asking our providers what else could you do beyond what you're doing already.

And how can we scale up so those those conversations are ongoing.

And we will continue to work to make sure that we are as I say getting the vaccine that we have here in our state out into arms as quickly as possible, thanks.

>> Next question is from Caroline fixed with wbtv in Charlotte.

>> Hi thank you for taking my question I wanted to ask what will be the challenges and how will the different health departments and hospitals, ramp up their efforts for this additional group of people 65 and older.

How are you going to make sure that they're getting the allotment they need or the allotments going to be increasing for everyone or how is this going to work to meet the demand of the new group of people.

>> But thanks Carolyn is a couple of things I break it down to how do we use the vaccine we already have in the state and use it efficiently and quickly and then how are we thinking about the new vaccine.

That's coming to us going forward so in terms of helping folks get the vaccine that they have now out and quickly as possible.

The number of ways your director sprayberry talk about the myriad ways in which we're helping with staffing support to either hospitals or local health Department to really help whether its back office help and data entry.

Answering phones setting up.

That vaccine events doing crowd control.

Or doing the vaccinations themselves so we're trying to offer whatever help they may need.

When we're talking to every single site because every single site has slightly different needs in.

And that we could help with and so we're trying to do that individually some sites.

Aren't able to get the vaccine out what we're doing is trying to partner them with other places that are able to get out quickly so if they they report back to us you to say look we we know we have vaccine here we're not going to be able to get it out in the next 7 days, let's partner right so that's all the work we're trying to do to get make sure that vaccine that is already here in the state gets out really quickly.

Then the question is how do we use the vaccine that comes to us once a week and use that process to drive some of this speed and efficiency and that's where some of these higher throughput sites come from but remember it's a limited pool, a vaccine that comes to us.

So if we take vaccine and put it in these high, throughput it does mean that they will be less and in places that may be less efficient and less speedy at getting out the vaccine we are focused on speed but we're also focused on that equity in access peace so we are trying to be intentional about thinking about locations for these high throughput sites.

So we still maintain that geographic distribution a vaccine as well as focus on our historically marginalized populations.

Now North Carolina when we first we're allocating vaccine we were very intentional about getting it to every single County in North Carolina all 100 counties, equal balance of doses across all the state so they were access points everywhere.

I think as we focus and and learn about how we can improve speed.

I think we're doing a mix of getting to that geographic continue geographic distribution as well as these high throughput sites.

So that's what we're focused on going forward again as we work to get the vaccine.

We have already in the state out and then focus on what we can do with the new vaccine coming to us.

Thank you.

>> Follow up from Caroline Hicks the AVP.

>> In Mecklenburg County hospitals health departments have said that they could not.

Give the vaccine to more people than they're getting right now right now the demand is higher then the allotment so can they expect more of an allotment to handle this larger populated center.

They did looking at booking out appointment further out.

>> It's a really important message we have less vaccine in our state and the number of people who are eligible to get it that at this moment for those who are 65 years and older you could get vaccine starting now, but that doesn't mean vaccine is available for you today or an appointment is available for you today.

I think you just heard about the Mecklenburg area where they are going to be said the setting up additional sites with additional vaccinators that which means additional appointments so they're going to be more that come on line but at the end of the day there's a limited supply of vaccine is going to take us some time to get everyone.

Their spot in line to get their shot.

We also want to remind folks that that.

That you know that has put things are are limited right now we want folks to work quickly in or with with our partners there are partners that still have that scene available and we want to help them get it out within the next 7 days.

So if they need more vaccinators were willing to help them with that if they need data entry, whatever they need to get the vaccine that they do have out certain places have gotten all their vaccine out and are working incredibly quickly and efficiently other places need need our support and that's what we're hoping to provide.

>> Next question is from Brian Anderson with Associated Press.

I got the Cone Brett Anderson, good e t. I know this is the website.

There's no mention of college students in the new guidance today and they appear to be delisted a college is no longer prioritized for vaccination over the general public in the new plan and how many if any covid vaccine doses have been thrown away in the garbage can near in North Carolina due to spoilage.

>> So on our prioritization Brian, we know we incorporated the feedback we got just 2 days ago from the federal government but it was still focused on those key priorities on that we've had all along which is to vaccinate those who are at highest risk for severe outcomes from covid so certainly that is our our older population is and those with as well as those at higher risk of exposure.

And that's still what you see in a party's Asian but we also wanted to focus on simplicity and speed we know that there's been more confusion that there and there's need to there needs to be.

>> And so we are definitely hearing the message about simplicity and speed.

And so that's why we're trying to really be clear what we're vaccinating right now are folks who are health all health care workers.

>> And those above the age 65 and older.

So those are the folks who are getting vaccinated now next we'll move on to our frontline essential workers then as I said we'll move on to adults with other adults with more.

Severe illness more more risk of severe illness as well as those of other workers with more exposure and then everyone else in the population.

I think the second question was about about spoilage now we haven't heard of any sites that have had issues where they have dif defrosted are left out of the freezer vaccinations on but we continue to reiterate on the message that we don't want to see any vaccine wasted in this is the kind of flexibility that are local providers need.

Yes, we have a prioritization that that we want folks to follow but at the end of the day we don't want vaccine to go to waste at all.

We know that there are these vaccines are life saving and we want every single those to be used.

>> Follow up from Brian Anderson with a thin.

I just make sure I'm understanding pre-k or call our college students no longer prioritize over the general.

>> Public kind of the previous plan has a 3 and then the general public in phase 4.

But now it looks like there's no mention of college in size wanted to get.

Put a pin on that make sure I'm clear on what the plan is for them.

>> Ryan in in this updated prioritization we are trying for simplicity and to really focus on the additional guidance we got from from the federal government just a couple of days ago, so we are prioritizing those who are at highest risk.

A severe illness.

Those who are at highest risk of from an exposure perspective and really try to get to some.

Simplicity there.

So yes that's right we've we've simplified.

>> Next question is from Colleen Quigley the W in the in the.

>> Hey good afternoon doctor Cohen thank you for taking my question we're hearing from multiple counties and they're having issues with that the bma system a logging on to it and then also entering the numbers there phrases affecting their future.

How a case is and then also showing that minister let that scene then they actually have are you aware of this issue and is anything being done to address it.

>> Thanks for that we are hearing that folks are having some data entry issues obviously by the fact that we've logged more than 300,000 doses so that the underlying system works.

But we recognize that it takes effort to put the data into the system and that means people and time and that's what we want to be here to help with so we have offered to to folks who are doing the vaccination efforts if we can help with data entry we want to do that because we don't want folks to have their allocation.

Suffer because they can't get the data into our system but the data in our system is how we need to make decisions about things going forward.

We have heard about a couple of folks who are up a bit behind on data and we're making sure not to have that impact their future allocations because again we're focused on just getting vaccines into arms.

But that that capturing of the data is really important because it's really our tools have visibility to know what's happening on the ground and we want to assist them so if folks need help with data entry we have abilities support them either to get folks to a location to help the data entry or even to a centralized that data entry here at the state level so we want to support them and if there are any issues related to see the ask the questions we have all day office hours lots of ability for folks to get in touch with us to to ask questions to make sure we're continuing to improve that underlying system itself.

It's one of the reasons we wanted to have that system here in North Carolina.

So we can continue to make improvements to it as we you know improve things over time.

>> Follow up from Colleen Quigley of the U n. >> Thank you have one more question I know you said there are discussions ongoing right now about more of these large scale.

Right and the private, a partnership.

You see if any of those conversations are happening for partnership in the triangle.

>> I think had conversations that are happening across the state including in the triangle yes.

>> The next question is from Richard Craver with the winston-salem journal.

So a lot.

This is Richard credible it was a settled rnal I just want to clarify I'm sure you've already asked the question just want to clarify.

First of all that there's not going to be a phase 2, 3, 4, anymore.

When you mention that everyone will be available.

After what seems to be the final group one B and then I've been asked specifically to ask about where the teachers fit in in terms of.

The priority list now that everyone's going to be getting that I guess what would now be faced a.

>> Richard thanks for that.

So as you know we did get additional guidance just 2 days ago from the federal government we incorporated that guidance and I think they're you know they're they're continued advice to us was simplicity and speed and we agree with that.

So we are making sure that our prioritization is is very clear right now right now anyone.

Our vaccine providers can move forward to the Aqsa Nate any one who is 65 and older.

>> Or all of our health care workers.

So that's the group that's that's going right now just to be clear.

>> If you are 65 and older or you are a health care worker.

It is your it is your time, however remember that not every place has additional.

Appointments right now they're still working through their folks who are above the age of 75.

So it it doesn't mean that today you can go and get your shot it does mean that providers can move on to that if they are ready, we know that providers or indifferent different stages we didn't want to hold anyone back at the state level and again that's why we're trying to give this this guidance today to say if you if you can and want to run forward with the group that is 65 years and older and all health care workers that's terrific you can do that next would be our frontline essential workers and that's what richer where where teachers would fit into that group.

Those are folks who can't stay home in order to conduct their their job there with our our kids in the classrooms.

So they be considered frontline essential workers as what are police child care workers and others.

>> Follow up from Richard Craver in Orlando.

Secretary along that same line when you're talking about extending but is a limited supply of vaccine.

How does that affect your long-term care facilities or no.

But consider about airfares going to Walgreens and CVS but it sounds like a pretty decent amount of the long-term care facilities are of still being in helped by County Health Department so is this have the situation of.

So indeed some kind of different parties or increasing the bottleneck with such a limited supply of vaccine.

>> So the long-term care vaccination effort as you know Richard is being handled by our federal government through a partnership with CVS and Walgreens in order for the state to activate that program we were required to allocate a certain number of vaccines to that program to date we have allocated a 160,000 doses of vaccine to that program and CVS and Walgreens are using that allocation to work through and vaccinate all of the folks in our nursing homes, the residents and the staff as well as other long-term care settings we know however that not every single long-term care setting signed up for that program nearly all did which is great and they're going to be working through that program but not all which is where local health departments come through.

Additionally, we know there's also turnover at those places some folks are entering nursing homes and leaving at different points and so we know that we're going to have to go back and make sure that we're using other resources that are here at the state level to help folks make sure that they are getting vaccinated they'll continue to get prioritized as they are some of our most vulnerable as well as a setting where there is a high risk of exposure and so we'll continue with those efforts.

>> We'll take our final question today from Laura Lee Carolina, public press.

Thank you good afternoon doctor Cohen I want to clarify of options.

The decision-making process moving from group to group.

The individual Health Department have discretion.

Both in terms of moving from.

What was one the health care workers agree to the 75 in on a group, but now it sounds like potentially they could say we're sticking with 75 and older.

We're holding off on 65 in order even though that is under the state.

You've got in the next group take up the question is yes.

But did it help with the help directors have the discretion and how will they know when they completed, you know, they've got enough people in that group to me to the next stage.

>> Thanks Laura.

We are giving flexibility to our vaccine providers.

We want to make sure that they aren't held back by the state and that they can run forward in terms of of speed right so we know that we also share that sense of urgency to get get folks vaccinated so there are some providers we're already hearing from that said we want to move on to the next group we incorporated that federal guidance that next group includes those that are aged 65 and above.

So those that are ready can do that.

But there is discretion at the local level to say look we we have booked out appointments for it and a number of weeks for those that are over 75.

And they may be able to start taking appointments for 65 then and 65 and up you know a few weeks doubt down the road that may be where it where they are.

So we're trying to give them the flexibility to to do that.

We know that that providers are at different points.

I think that flexibility is important so that they can can have the speed that they that they need if they wanted at the local level.

>> No worry.

>> Along the same lines about moving to the next phases of distribution.

What I'm hearing is the health care providers will be able to determine when it's time to move to frontline essential workers and then when it's time to move to the next group which has that great.

Well that providers to encourage or required and that's something we're talking about people with medical conditions in question individuals and a central workers not get vaccinated to go and not order or have has this new plan now made all of that one large group that helps providers can determine.

We're moving into not faced with all 3 of these great.

>> Thanks for that.

Laura we are trying to simplify how are both talking about it and 4 operations on the ground we got feedback from our providers to say help us with simplicity and how we communicate this and so we definitely took that feedback into the simplified way which are moving forward that's why we're focused on all health care workers and those 65 and up trying to bury very simple about it.

And so folks know exactly where we are we are still wanting to follow prioritization because the supplies are so limited so we are focused on just that group right now before we move on to the other frontline essential workers but and we will signal at the state when when we think will be moving through those other groups, but we did very much Laura simplify that for so we can communicate it more easily and also to ease some of the operational.

Complexity at the local level again we're time for simplicity and speed.

As we go through this as well as a focus on equity and that's what we'll continue to do we want to get that vaccine out as quickly as possible, but I want to say again please remember that our our supplies are very limited even the progress we're making we're going to get a lot of vaccine in arms over the next 2 weeks even if we vaccinated with everyone today with the vaccine.

We have in the state it we would still be at somewhere like 6% of our entire population, which means we have to do the work we've done all year long which is where mask, stay socially distant and wash your hands often that secretarial directive is still in place please do stay home and only go out for essential business remember there's a lot of virus here in North Carolina please please protect yourselves your family and your communities.

State law everyone thank you.