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

as of today we have had 863,049 cases.

1239 new cases reported since yesterday.

1353 people in the hospital.

And sadly 11,288 people who have died.

Even as North Carolina battles its way out of this pandemic we know that people are still sick and sadly still dying from this disease.

And our prayers are with them.

But I am pleased to report that North Carolina's COVID-19 numbers have declined and remain stable.

Last week we took careful deliberate action to ease but not lift some of the strict restrictions to move our economy forward while at the same time still protecting public health.

And that means we must continue working to keep ourselves and each other safe by wearing a mask and social distancing.

The simple measures are still our best tool for slowing the spread of this virus.

Until more people are vaccinated.

The State Department Health and Human Services, our providers continue to work extremely hard to get people vaccinated in a way that's fast unfair.

How works get noticed.

Last week the Kaiser Family Foundation released a report showing North Carolina as the number one state in the nation for vaccinating people, 65 and up.

As of today more than 60% of our seniors have received the vaccine.

And there's more good news.

The Johnson and Johnson one shot vaccine is now authorized.

And we'll be here this week in North Carolina.

It's a real advantage that this is only one shot and more easily stored.

And it's been shown to be very effective in preventing hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.

We expect to receive 80,000 doses beginning to more.

Our constant request for more vaccines has been answered.

The federal government is standing up a FEMA supported vaccination site in Greensboro to open March, the 10th.

It will be open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It will provide up to 3,000 vaccinations a day for 8 weeks.

With additional community sites and mobile vaccination clinics in Guilford and surrounding counties to reach underserved communities.

Our state and local emergency management teams are hard at work getting the site ready.

And we are working hard with FEMA.

That's the kind of partnership we welcome and expect in this fight against the pandemic.

Given the current rate of vaccinations and increased supply of many providers say they can move to the next phase of vaccinations.

So I'm announcing today that all frontline essential workers in group 3 will be eligible to receive the vaccine starting tomorrow March, the 3rd.

This includes first responders and emergency personnel such as police firefighters rescue workers.

People who are working in manufacturing food and agriculture.

Grocery stores government workers.

And our clergy among others.

Our essential frontline workers have remained on the job throughout this pandemic and I'm grateful for their work.

We're also announcing that some members of group 4 will be eligible beginning March 24th.

We'll open group for first to people with medical conditions that put them at a higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

The 3rd vaccine and improving vaccine supply for that we already are getting will help us get more people vaccinated more quickly.

But as I've said before.

We still don't have enough vaccine.

He may have to wait for an appointment even if today's action means that you're eligible to get vaccinated.

People are eager to evict get vaccinated and still have to wait and planned for when it's time and their turn to get.

Your shot.

We've been able to move this quickly because the of the great work of the people of North Carolina.

The dedication shown by doctors nurses pharmacists and others, including our dhhs staff and local health departments across the state.

The patients shown by people eager to get their shot.

The trusted voices are setting good examples and encouraging and helping others.

This is come together to make vaccine administration in North Carolina fast and fair.

We're pleased to see all of the educator step forward for vaccines over the past week.

It's good to see more school systems getting students back in person into the classroom.

As we've urged school systems that haven't set dates to return are being pushed to get children and educators into the classroom.

Learning in person is critically important to students.

I look forward this week to more action to make sure that that happens in a safe way.

With declining in stabilizing covid data.

A new vaccine.

A new FEMA side in our state.

Recent increases in total vaccine supply and the easing of restrictions.

There are many reasons to feel hopeful.

Even if we move to continue to move in the right direction.

We know that progress is fragile.

New covid variance or in our state and vaccines are widely available yet.

We all must continue to wear our masks and use good judgment.

If we recommit to keeping ourselves and each other safe.

We can save lives and get to the other side of this pandemic.

Also with me today as our secretary of Health and Human Services doctor Mandy Cohen.

Our secretary of public safety, Eric hooks.

I director of emergency management Mike sprayberry and commissioner of prisons Todd issue.

Monica biggie and lee williamson our sign language interpreters and behind the scenes, Jackie and jasmine that of year.

Our Spanish language interpreters.

I'll now recognize doctor Cohen for for a few remarks got covid.

>> Well thank you governor, this is a really exciting moment.

This weekend.

The federal government authorized the Johnson and Johnson one shot vaccine.

We now have 3 tested safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that are keeping people out of the hospital keeping them from dying from this virus.

A 3rd COVID-19 vaccine means North Carolina can get more people vaccinated sooner and meet our goal to provide equitable access to vaccines in every community across the state.

Later this week as the governor said we expect to get more than 80,000 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

And we'll be getting 215,001st doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines bringing our State's allocation to almost 300,001st doses for this week.

Additionally we'll have a 160,002nd doses arriving.

Busy week.

In addition our state allocation for from the federal government is also providing more vaccines through our federal pharmacy program with the with Walgreens the FEMA site in Greensboro that the governor discussed and the federal program with our federally qualified health centers.

This is all positive news.

While vaccine supplies are still far below what we need to vaccinate everyone.

They are improving.

Therefore as the governor noted all frontline essential workers will be eligible for vaccine starting tomorrow.

Our frontline essential workers have been at their jobs throughout this pandemic making sure we could buy food keeping us safe and providing vital services that we all reply upon let's take a moment to watch a new PSA featuring these often unsung heroes talking about how and when they plan to get their shot.

>> Since the start of this pandemic only responded to nearly a 1000 calls tonight, the 1000 opportunities to to contract the virus that also additionally 1000 opportunities to spread the virus.

We have the.

>> Make sure that our community I feel safe not only bus taking them but shown and that we have confidence in the science when we talk about us or officers serving and protecting how better can we show that we're willing to do that and to get a vaccine to ensure the safety of the community we serve I decided to take my shot too encourage other people to take theirs it allows me to be able to go into work in.

>> I feel like well maybe next.

>> We want to make sure that people can get their food get their medicine diapers know all the things they have done now.

Everybody's got home if you're not going to get the vaccine just not using >> icing is going to save lives last month.

A week ago, the number of covid.

>> I don't want to buy up to go that pain you save in not just you to an American saving other people doing you don't even know.

>> We do have a sense of responsibility to the children to our community to our families is no other way is that this is really the only way to push us forward you have a spot take the shot you have a spy shop you have a spot take your shot you have a spot on take your >> I hope you will share this video along with other resources that you can find at your spot.

Your shot dot NC .gov.

We didn't we need your help in the media and giving North Carolinians accurate information about COVID-19 vaccine.

>> As we look ahead and expect our vaccine supply to continue to improve.

>> We will plan to move to group for on March, the 24th.

We will begin group for with people who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk for serious illness as well as those living in certain congregate settings who have not yet been vaccinated.

We've also made some clarification to the groups that I want to go through.

First 4 group one the definition of long-term care has been updated to include people receiving long-term home care for more than 30 days.

This includes home and community-based services for persons with intellectual and developmental disability, private duty nursing personal care services home health and hospice.

In addition for group for we have clarified that high-risk medical conditions include into intellectual and developmental disabilities such as down syndrome and neurologic conditions such as dementia.

All these updates will be on our website your spot your shot that NC .gov.

The top line message is that frontline essential workers are eligible for vaccines starting tomorrow.

All current eligibility groups health care workers or long-term care staff and residents and people 65 and older as well as childcare and school staff we'll continue to be vaccinated as well.

Remember that some vaccines providers may not be ready to open to all frontline essential workers on March 3rd.

If they're still experiencing high demand for vaccines from those current groups.

To slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives please continue to practice the 3 W's wearing that mask wearing waiting and waiting 6 feet apart and washing your hands until most people have a spot to take their shot.

Thank you governor.

>> Thanks start corn will continue to appreciate your strong leadership in this area.

Well maybe we'll now take questions from the media if you could identify yourself and your organization will take the first question.

>> Our first question is from Ken lemon with wssc.

Governor can live in it.

The vehicle cpd I didn't have one question in regards to the home in question is you know the community we.

Who are most often transmitted in the community.

Have the at least.

Opportunity to control their own hello.

And these individuals who are not vaccinated in the very.

>> We are deeply concerned about the homeless population in how we are anyway but when covid came we know that people who live in congregate settings have a higher risk of getting in transmitting.

Covid we saw that in nursing homes and prisons and in the homeless population.

I know that our department has worked very hard to provide services for them to find quarantine support for them.

I'll let doctor Cohen talk a little bit about some of the specific things that are happening out there, but we know that this is a societal issue that we have to tackle together with affordable housing.

With mental health services, this is a great time to talk about it expanding Medicaid to people who are working in aren't making enough money to be able to qualify for federal benefits under the affordable care act.

But I'll let doctor Cohen talk a little bit more about some of the services that are department is providing.

>> I can specifically related to those who are homeless in terms of their access to vaccines and there are number of ways folks may have already gotten vaccinated obviously anyone who is 65 and up and who may be homeless is already eligible for a vaccine as well as those who are the workers who work in our homeless shelters.

Our frontline essential workers and as of tomorrow will be eligible for vaccine.

And as I mentioned we're going to be moving to group for on March, the 24th and as I mentioned we're going to be starting with those who are at higher risk because of their medical conditions but also in certain congregate settings and that would include.

OG making sure that we're able to get vaccine to our homeless population as well as the governor mentioned this has been an area of focus for us throughout this pandemic as the governor mentioned whether it was making sure that folks had a place to isolate or quarantine making sure there is wrap around supports not just access to testing in a place to isolate but making sure that they were getting access to services they need so has been an important population we focused on throughout this pandemic thank you.

Next question please.

>> Our next question from dawn Vaughn with the news and observer.

>> I Don farmer the news observer out in the Johnson Johnson supply going to be a consistent amount week to week and with the new timeline for those that are eligible for vaccines is is this like goal or guarantee given that the number of people that are in this group.

>> So we're going to get 80,000 of the Johnson Johnson this week, but no there is no guarantee of the consistent supplied in fact we expect a dip in supply.

Johnson and Johnson we're on a call with the White House today.

Then that is supposed to ramp back up.

But I think and I'll let doctor Cohen expound on this but I do think that because of the Johnson Johnson we also got told today that we're going to receive an even greater supply Pfizer and Moderna with all of that together I think the department feels pretty confident that we'll be able to stick to these dates.

For being able to open even more groups for vaccines but I'll let doctor Cohen address that specifically.

>> Hi Don.

So yes, we plan to get about 80,000 doses, starting this week it will start tomorrow and Thursday they'll be arriving Wednesday and Thursday of this week we've already been told that we will receive no to additional doses for next week.

So we are giving our vaccinating providers a little more time to make sure that they can get those 80,000 doses out over the next week and a half about before we will see the next round of Johnson and Johnson come to our state we do expect over the course of March to see a lower amount of Johnson's ounce and we know next week will be 0.

We think that the week after the a very low number as well, but as the governor mentioned we've heard that it is forecasted that by the last week of March first week of April that we should be seeing a pickup in the number of Johnson and Johnson vaccine then expect they they expect to have even more than 80,000 doses per week after that point.

So we're appreciative our vaccine providers that this week we get a special request to them to say who is ready for the one dose vaccines.

And there are providers all across the state who were we're going to be in 33 counties with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine this week at 43 different events and so it will be widely available across the state.

Starting this Wednesday and Thursday as they come into our state and as the governor said because of that we can commit to the timeframe that we're talking about today so starting tomorrow, our front all frontline essential workers will be eligible for a vaccine and we will be able to move out as soon as March 24th, 2 group 4 we will start group for with those who are at higher risk for for covid because of some underlying medical conditions and certain congregate settings thank you.

Next question please.

>> We have a follow-up dawn, Vaughan news and observer.

I think so the FAA.

With all these vaccinations coming this month is there a percent or our population number.

>> That will mean that people can look for the next.

Restrictions lifting.

With that with the current executive order expiring at the end of March and you know next group at the end of March what can people plan for as far as when things will change.

>> We're going to continue to look at the same data that we've always looked at the number of cases we have the percent positive.

The number of people in the hospital.

Those are the those are the data that we're going to continue to examine and we already see that these vaccinations are likely having a positive effect on this number we are close to herd immunity yet, but we do know that with people who have already contracted covid that there is probably some residual immunity you still have to be very careful wear a mask social distance can't rely on anything.

But we think a combination of people getting vaccinated more and more of them and that the general limited immunity may be in the population and that's a reason for optimism.

I I don't think we can put any kind of specific number on how many people to be vaccinated before further restrictions are eased.

We're going to continue to look at the same number and the same data and hopefully hopefully as we move along we can continue to ease restrictions.

What can also contribute to that as people being responsible and careful because people will have more opportunities to gather we need to keep asking and keep social distancing.

And by the way congratulations on being elected head of the Capitol press corps.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is recalling about her with WRAL.

>> Good afternoon governor Cullen Browder WRAL.

So they are expanding or throughout group 3 here it includes elected officials.

You plan now to get your vaccination and while you shop for a vaccine that has a higher efficacy or would you be happy to get the change >> I'm happy to get any vaccine right now and yes I probably will get a vaccine very soon don't have a specific time yet but I think it's important for us to get everybody vaccinated and the great thing about all 3 of the vaccines that are out there is all of them are very effective and preventing serious illness.

And death.

And there are a lot of advantages to having just one shot.

So I think it's exciting that we have all 3 of these vaccines now.

And I'm sure that a lot of other government workers are going to get vaccinated soon as well.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Francis well I would wdc P. >> Good afternoon governor Cooper and doctor Cohen hope you're both doing well Francis well, it W a T C K my question is will it work lerentee for our viewers with the addition of this new vaccine but Johnson and Johnson it will be put into the next to the other vaccines and administered based on availability correct in his lap asking.

We have heard concerns from some of our viewers who say.

They would rather get the Pfizer or Madonna back saying because of the better Africa say but that's really not an option correct.

>> I'll let doctor Cohen address that specifically.

>> Hi Francis I think the important thing for folks to know is we have 3 vaccines that are safe and effective and that we want folks to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

We want folks to know what they are getting it is important for them to know are they getting the one shot vaccine or did they need to go to 2 separate appointment.

So when folks are signing up for the vaccine, we're working with our vaccine providers to make sure that they are being very clear about whether or not this is a one-dose vaccine clinic or a 2 dose vaccine clinic.

The way we are are are allocating the 80,000 Johnson and Johnson vaccines across our state for this weekend next week is we asked our providers who is ready to do additional events over and beyond what you are planning for the 2 dose vaccine who's ready to do one of these one-dose vaccine events as I mentioned there are many providers raise their hand we're going to be in 33 counties, 43 events.

So you're going to see Johnson and Johnson and a number of places then we as as I mentioned we're going to see a bit of a law in the Johnson and Johnson vaccine coming into our state over the next number of weeks but then by the end of March it's really going to pick up again.

I think that's going to give our providers an opportunity to make sure that they're working out their operations for the 2 dose clinics, the one-dose clinic.

Any important folks it is for folks to know which one they're still signing up for.

So they know whether or not to come back for second dose but as I said the these are 3 very safe and effective vaccines and I will say I plan to get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine later this week and these are safe and effective vaccines.

I'm glad to be a front-line essential worker and have access to these vaccines.

In this week and I encourage everyone to when it is their spot in line to get their shot, thanks.

Next question please.

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

Good afternoon governor Laura Lee with China to the press.

I'm just wondering of the approximately million and a half.

First it says that have been administered in the state.

How many of those are group one how many agree to and is that something you are tracking it got to the point of tension even drew Carey is that something you're tracking with CBS.

>> Hi Laura I think we have we have contours of that that you could probably go right now on our dashboard as you know group to or are largely those who are 65 and up.

So you can you can use proxies because we do report race ethnicity gender and age.

For all of our vaccinations down to the county level you can sort of get an approximation of who are the folks who are over 65.

So that's that's really your group to we do separate out also those who are getting vaccinated through the long-term care program and so that gives you a sense of of how many folks we may have done in group one as we get further into group 3 and group for I think that will be harder to determine.

As we move through, but we can take back to see if we can provide you those more specific answers, thanks.

Next question.

Please.

>> We have a follow-up Marley Carolina public press.

>> It could take them up up against the thought is just you know is that track but the be a match and then.

>> And great for when you're prioritizing.

Group of high risk medical will that some groups go.

First on March 24th or will March 24th open all of group 4.

>> I mean let doctor Cohen answer that question but I'll take this opportunity to congratulate our department for cvms one of the few states that that built our own data system for the ground from the ground up which gives us very granular information about race ethnicity and we've recently recognized has.

The the top state for having almost 100% of the data that you need this allows us to see a problem so we can tackle it particularly when it comes to equity and almost every state in the country had problems with that early as did we but our information told us that we had a problem with equity and there was a lot of strong intentional work to make sure that not only are we getting these vaccines off the shelf and into arms quickly.

But we're also doing it equitably we want those arms to look like the people of North Carolina and I'm proud of that but I'll let doctor Cohen address that question specifically.

>> Hi Laura we do track which groups that that folks are in through cvms and so your other question was on March 24th, we will open group for in phases similar to what we did with group 3.

So we will start with those with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe illness from covid.

That list of medical conditions on our website as I mentioned we are updating it to make sure that we're being intentional intentional intentional about including it for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as downed near a logical diseases such as dementia so you'll you'll see that update on our website this afternoon.

But we will be starting with those who are.

In the it for the part of group for that have underlying medical conditions and certain congregate settings thank you.

Next question please.

>> Next question is rose Hoban that North Carolina health news.

>> I this it turns out this is a little bit of a follow-on question from Lord question.

You know what do we know about people with disabilities in North Carolina and covid like some states like California has been doing separate counts.

To get a sense of what's happening with this says and we've been counting cases among people with disabilities and what do we know about how they've been affected by the pandemic here.

>> Hi rose so we don't collect medical information within the see the system we do collect race ethnicity data data that we were just talking about, but we do not collect medical status.

We know that as we move forward to group for obviously we're going to have folks who are a dent itself identifying as those with a chronic disease that might put them at higher risk for covid but that is not going to be medical information we capture within our system what I can say in terms of our response effort for those and intellectual and developmental disabilities I think this is where particularly when they live in Moore congregate settings where we spend a lot of time making sure we're protecting folks proactively there's a lot we we've done to make sure that those congregate settings were as safe as possible as we've gone through our vaccination efforts and you know those with the intellectual developmental disabilities have been being vaccinated on throughout this process many of them do live in group homes or other settings there are already eligible for vaccination as I was mentioning on in my opening remarks we're also expanding the definition of long-term care to make sure that it's including those who get long-term home care which will also make sure that those with intellectual and developmental disabilities are captured in are vaccinating efforts I I want to make sure that folks know that we've been being particularly attentive to our intellectual development.

The developmental community.

We we hear from their advocates and as they are very close partners of ours as we do our work and we can continue to work with them closely thank you.

>> Next question please.

>> We have a follow-up road to the North Carolina health news.

>> I I just want to go to explore this issue a little bit more.

You know there was an analysis done by researchers from Johns Hopkins University back in November.

That showed that during the pandemic people with developmental disorders.

And developmental disabilities and intellectual disabilities.

Had among the highest rates of mortality.

We had Howard County rate even higher than people with all my or people with cancer people with heart failure, I'm just wondering why it's taken so long to focus on them in the vaccination campaign.

>> Thanks rose as you know we've moved through vaccinations in a couple of ways we want to make sure that we are capturing those who are at highest risk.

Because of their medical status or their age.

We're at highest risk because of their exposure.

For those particularly who live in long-term care settings which a number of folks in our developmental intellectual developmental community do live in like group homes.

They were part of our first group of of folks who were vaccinated as I mentioned today we are expanding our definition of what we're could considering long-term care to include long-term long-term care at home more than 30 days.

And we're being explicit to your point that we we do see that and underlying developmental issue like down syndrome is put put someone at higher risk so we are clarifying that in our guidance for those in group for seal see both of that.

Being recognized in our guidance going forward, thank you.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Richard Craver with one calendar now.

>> Hello governor this is Richard Craver something was a settled journal.

I was just going to get you to maybe a lot like a little further about the decision to accelerate from our chance to March 3rd was there any one issue that was the tipping point to convince you need to do it.

Given.

They fell belt and Johnson Johnson traps quicker than people had thought or just the nature of the metrics going down.

>> So obviously these recommendations come from doctor Cohen and the whole vaccine team.

They are in constant communication with our providers a vaccine.

And we were hearing more and more from a number of providers that they were ready to go to this category.

They still had people in these other categories, but they were having big events and they wanted to just make sure that they were using all the vaccine that they had as quickly as possible, so they were ready to roll and there were enough of providers who have been talking to our our team here to make them decide that we really need to go ahead and allow those providers who are ready to go ahead with group for it 3 and move all of this up.

Now some parts of the state some providers aren't going to be ready to move to group 3 and we want to make sure that a lot of people who live in these areas understand that it may not be good 3 for your area, your provider that you're planning to see.

But it's calculated on on, but at the heart of part of the team they want to make sure that we're getting these vaccines out quickly and that's why this decision was made anything to add to that code.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Sam Walker with outer banks today.

>> Director sprayberry you were in their County on Friday and have been touring some other clinics around the state.

Getting set for a ball a lot of Greensboro that he tells what you learned from Bexar County specifically what you learn in doing those of your tours as for doctor Cohen we've been able to repurpose some of these television PSA for use on radio.

I just want to see if we might be seeing some radio PSA.

With regards to evacuation efforts.

Thanks.

>> I recognize director sprayberry but he's already given me his report on his trip to Morehead city.

So I'll call on him and then secretary Cohen mike sprayberry our director of emergency management.

>> Thank you governor and thank you for your leadership, thanks for the question.

Yes, Sir I did go out to dare County on Friday.

To take a look at their vaccination site as you know we're going to be opening up a major vaccination site in Greensboro next week.

I thought to be a good idea to go out and see some sites that we have heard that are being run very efficiently to see if I could pick up a few best practices and tips.

So that we can integrate him into our operation.

So went down to dare County and in fact that's what I saw very efficient operation.

A lot of volunteers a lot of representatives from all the county agencies working together and the attitude was phenomenal, not just from the people that we're doing the helping but also the folks that we're getting their vaccines and so.

A wonderful time I had there with everybody got to see the county manager and the the local health director, same thing happened today in Morehead city got there early another wonderfully efficient operation.

People moving in very quickly and moving out quickly and so.

All this across the state is happen.

And great visits very excited to be there and thank you for asking that question hats off to the folks in Carteret County and Bexar County great job.

One team one mission one family.

Thank you Sir.

>> High Sam, thank you so much for using the public service announcements that were made for TV and repurposing or for radio, I know we're doing a number of ways in which we're trying to get the message out so make sure that are communication teams reach out to you specifically so you can understand all the resources and make sure repurposing whatever you need to get them the message out so thanks for that partnership.

>> And Sam I tell me about his dare County trip to.

Next question please.

>> Our final question today is from page pro so a deadly BP.

Hi there thanks for taking my question that the clarification question for 2 things when it comes to grocery store worker for by include.

>> Smaller market smaller companies or not the big box grocery store and then you will bar and Tavern employees be included in the restaurant worker group are all they way in for 4.4 5.

>> Page thanks to the question.

So that the first thing to know about group 3 in our frontline essential workers.

These are folks that cannot be home to do their job so yes, there are broad categories of folks but we are really asking folks to think hard are you someone who needs to do their job in person.

You're coming into contact with customers or are you someone who can be working remotely because if you are able to work remotely we'd asked for you to wait for a group for or beyond.

So for those who to need to do their work in person, yes, whether a big store, a small store you're interacting with the public.

Yes eligible to be in in group 3 and then yes and insofar as restaurant bar they all are included in that same category of food and beverage service workers but again wanting to make sure are you are you going into work to and doing that job in person if so then you would be a in the appropriate category, thank you.

>> Thanks everybody.

We appreciate you being with us today, stay safe out there.