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COVID hospitalizations jump by 22% in one week, with new cases rising by 32% in NC. — According to data from May 8-14, new COVID cases increased by 32% week-over-week in NC, with hospitalizations up by 22%. COVID cases in Wake County increased by 42% overall week-over-week, with Durham County's numbers going up by 20% and Cumberland County jumping by 40%.

Coronavirus coverage in North Carolina, Feb. 22, 2021

This is WRAL's coverage of the coronavirus outbreak for Feb. 22, 2021.

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The Big Picture: Vaccinations in NC
In the big picture, North Carolina continues to steadily roll out vaccines in its goal to reach herd immunity in the coming months.

February 22, 2021 6:36 a.m. EST
How your work-from-home wardrobe can impact your job performance
As the COVID-19 pandemic nears the 1-year mark, some are dressing up while others are still keeping it casual.

February 22, 2021 12:57 p.m. EST
COVID-19 vaccine sites open for Wake County teachers and school staff
Wake County teachers and educators can get their first coronavirus vaccines beginning Wednesday.

February 24, 2021 5:55 a.m. EST
CBC OPINION
Editorial: Bill requiring in-person learning relies on luck not reality. Needs more work
Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 -- Commands for action require understanding, planning, communication, resources and consensus. For some reason, legislators who often crow that local governance and decision-making is their strong bias, feel this one-size-fits-all solution is best. Legislation requiring in-person learning prevents communities from making their own assessment of local needs and conditions to make these sensitive decisions.

February 22, 2021 5:00 a.m. EST
Meant to offer 'HOPE,' state rental assistance program has been slow to pay
Tenants, landlords and utility companies are kept waiting as grant money promised takes weeks, even months, to deliver.

February 22, 2021 8:12 p.m. EST
Getting a refund for a COVID-19 canceled event isn't always easy
Live entertainment was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. 5 On Your Side's Monica Laliberte explains why one year later, many ticket holders are still asking for refunds on WRAL News at 6.

February 22, 2021 6:40 p.m. EST
Single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be approved Friday
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration could approve the one-dose coronavirus vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson as early as Friday.

February 22, 2021 9:11 p.m. EST
Latest round of PPP loans will help the smallest of businesses
Businesses with 20 or fewer employees and the self-employed get a window in which to apply for federal paycheck support.

February 22, 2021 6:11 p.m. EST
No alcohol permit, but pictures show dancing, drinking, large crowd at maskless Raleigh party
WRAL started asking questions after someone shared video that showed a large group of people drinking and dancing.

February 23, 2021 5:48 p.m. EST
Virus 'red zones' in NC drop dramatically
A month ago, more than four-fifths of North Carolina's 100 counties were considered coronavirus hot spots. By Monday, that had dropped to about one in four.

February 23, 2021 4:02 a.m. EST
Clayton priest dies after 2-month battle with COVID-19
A priest at a Catholic church in Clayton died Saturday from COVID-19.

February 22, 2021 8:22 p.m. EST
Robeson officials shut off vaccine access to most SC residents
More health departments in North Carolina are barring out-of-state residents from getting their coronavirus vaccinations in North Carolina.

February 23, 2021 10:47 a.m. EST
Lines form at PNC Arena, where nearly 1,500 COVID vaccines will be given out
Here's a look at the weekend's COVID-19 vaccination clinics, where long lines are forming and thousands of vaccines will be given out.

February 20, 2021 2:16 p.m. EST
Some counties tell eligible educators: It will be a while before you can get COVID-19 vaccine
Educators and childcare workers will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, Feb. 24, but some county health leaders say they won't be ready to give it to them.

February 21, 2021 6:39 a.m. EST
This device is crucial in the fight against Covid. It may not work on dark skin
In the fight against Covid-19, the pulse oximeter has been an essential tool for doctors and other medical professionals. But the small device that monitors oxygen levels may not work well for people with dark skin, according to multiple studies and government health agencies.

February 21, 2021 11:10 a.m. EST
Fauci: 'Possible' Americans will be wearing masks in 2022 to protect against Covid-19
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that it's "possible" Americans will still need to wear masks in 2022 to protect against the coronavirus, even as the US may reach "a significant degree of normality" by the end of this year.

February 21, 2021 11:07 a.m. EST
NC teen sisters honored to help out in Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trial
Two North Carolina teens are now a part of history after taking part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial.

February 22, 2021 12:10 p.m. EST
Duke students speak out after a large, maskless party took place off campus on Friday
University officials call it a 'flagrant violation of university COVID-19 expectations.'

February 22, 2021 12:10 p.m. EST
Prayer vigil held in Henderson for North Carolina trooper on life support with COVID
The doctor can't give him the vaccine during his intensive care because of possible rejection with different medicine and treatments.

February 27, 2021 11:29 p.m. EST
Retired Durham officer survives battle with COVID-19
Stanley McHenry, who describes himself as a "tough guy," served as a Durham police officer for 31 years before a potentially fatal brush with COVID-19.

February 19, 2021 9:32 a.m. EST