Coronavirus omicron updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Jan. 25
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Hospitalizations hit new record
At least 2,290,179 coronavirus cases have been reported in North Carolina, and at least 20,289 people have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday, Jan. 24, reported 18,452 new COVID-19 cases, down from 24,172 on Jan. 23 and 34,803 on Jan. 22. The state doesn’t update case counts over weekends.
At least 4,896 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Jan. 24, a single-day record and up from 4,872 the day before, according to state health officials. Another 96 coronavirus-related deaths were added.
As of Jan. 22, the latest date with available information, 37.8% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.
Roughly 74% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 70% have been fully vaccinated. Of the state’s total population, about 60% are fully vaccinated and about 64% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.
About 2.8 million ”additional/booster” doses have been administered in North Carolina as of Jan. 24, the health department said. Health officials have urged those who are eligible to get boosted, as data suggests it offers increased protection against the omicron coronavirus variant.
About 99% of all new COVID-19 cases in the Southeast were attributed to the omicron variant as of Jan. 15, the latest date for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How to get insurance to cover costs of at-home tests
Insurance providers must cover the costs of COVID-19 test kits people take home with them.
The federal government made the requirement for over-the-counter tests as another effort also allows people to order COVID-19 tests for delivery through the mail, The News & Observer reported.
To help ensure the test kit you buy at a store is covered, you may want to check if it has an in-network pharmacy. Customers going in-network can be reimbursed up to $12 for kits, and those out of network will have to submit claims to their insurance companies, the N&O reported.
