Cooper: We are laser-focused on getting people vaccinated

"Getting vaccinated, wearing a mask in public indoor settings and following the science is what we all need to do," Cooper said.

"Get vaccinated," Cohen said. "Everyone needs to get vaccinated as a soon as possible."

Cooper pointed out that he had required employees of state cabinet-level departments to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing, and his administration is pressing other businesses to do the same. He'll be watching the rollout of a mandate for federal employees to see if North Carolina should do more.

"The more places you need a vaccine, the more people vaccinated we will have," Cooper said.

"This protects them and their customers from getting sick, and it also protects the state’s economy by keeping stores and businesses open and encouraging customers to come while preventing the harmful impacts of COVID."

Cooper's remarks come as health officials say 67% of state residents over the age of 18 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Even with an increase in vaccinations, coronavirus cases continue to rise.

"How many more people have to get sick and die because people don't get this miraculous, God-given, effective and extraordinarily safe vaccine," Cooper wondered.

"If you are still unsure, get off social media and get on the phone with your doctor," he said.

For the week ending Sept. 4, children age 17 and under made up 31% of the state’s new COVID-19 cases. That is the highest percentage since the pandemic began.

Cooper noted that 96 percent of North Carolina school children are in schools where masks are required for staff and students.

"We know that keeping kids learning in the classroom is the most important thing for our students right now."

Asked about the state policy on virtual learning, Cohen returned to the importance on in-person learning. "We know that in-person learning is so important for our students, and we now know so much more about how we can keep them safe and in the classroom," she said.

Neither outlined any new statewide limits on activity or new mask mandates, keeping the focus primarily on improving the rate of vaccinations.

"We want to do things that people will pay attention to and that people are going to obey," Cooper said.

"We're getting more and more people vaccinated every day. That's what's going to work. We don't want to put things in place that detract from the effort to get people vaccinated."

The president is also expected to take steps expanding access to testing and ensuring students are protected in classrooms. Biden is expected to speak at 5 p.m.