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.

Posted 10:13 p.m. Feb 22, 2021 — Updated 9:02 a.m. Feb 23, 2021

RALEIGH, N.C. — 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.

The state Department of Health and Human Services released its latest iteration of the state county alert map on Monday, showing only 27 counties are considered "red zones," with critical levels of coronavirus spread. That's down from 61 in early February and a high of 86 in mid-January.

Meanwhile, 33 counties are considered "yellow zones," the lowest level on the three-tier system, with significant viral spread, up from only one a month ago. The remaining 40 counties are now considered "orange zones," with substantial viral spread, up from 33 in early February.

Most of the Triangle is now in the orange zone, although Lee County is still red and Chatham County is a yellow zone. Cumberland, Hoke, Moore, Halifax, Nash and Person counties also are red zones, while Sampson, Wayne and Northampton counties are yellow.

"With North Carolinians continuing to follow the 'three W's' and more than 1 million people in the state having received at least a first dose of vaccine, we are slowing the spread and saving lives," DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement.

North Carolina topped 2 million vaccinations on Sunday, with 12.8 percent of the state's residents receiving at least one dose of the two-shot regimen. A little more than 7 percent are fully vaccinated.

Teachers, school personnel and child care workers will be eligible for vaccinations starting Wednesday, although many counties still have waiting lists of health care workers and people age 65 or older waiting for their shots.

An average of 2,917 new coronavirus infections a day statewide have been reported over the last week, the lowest that average has been since Nov. 18.

The state also reported 1,567 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, the eighth straight day that figure has been below 2,000 and the lowest one-day total since Nov. 18.

Yet, the state is nearing 11,000 deaths during the pandemic, with another eight reported Monday. The U.S. surpassed 500,000 virus-related deaths on Monday.

Suggest A Correction