COVID vaccine live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Dec. 3

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus and vaccines in North Carolina. Check back for updates.

More than 3,000 new cases reported

At least 1,540,824 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 18,807 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, Dec. 2, reported 3,780 new COVID-19 cases, up from 3,039 on Wednesday and 1,755 on Tuesday.

Thirty-one coronavirus-related deaths were also added Dec. 2. Health officials don’t specify the dates on which newly reported deaths occurred.

At least 1,214 people were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Dec. 2, including 315 adults being treated in intensive care units, health officials said.

As of Nov. 30, the latest date with available information, 7.4% of coronavirus tests were reported positive. Health officials say 5% or lower is the target rate to slow the spread of the virus.

Roughly 73% of adults in North Carolina have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and about 69% have been fully vaccinated. Out of the state’s total population, about 57% are fully vaccinated and 61% have received at least one dose. State officials round vaccination numbers to the nearest whole number.

UNC doctor says delta bigger threat than omicron

Doctors at UNC Health said the new omicron variant of COVID-19 might not have as big of an impact in North Carolina as the delta variant did despite the numerous mutations that could make it more contagious.

Dr. Melissa Miller, director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at UNC, said it’s likely already in the U.S., which was confirmed Wednesday, Dec. 1, with the variant detected in California.

“Whether it out-competes and becomes the dominant strain remains to be seen,” Miller said, “because that’s not even the case in South Africa yet. It’s still at a very low frequency in South Africa.”

Delta is the dominant variant accounting for nearly all of the roughly 2,000 new COVID-19 cases reported daily in North Carolina. If omicron behaves similarly, it’s unlikely scientists will change their approach, said Dr. David Wohl, an infectious disease expert at UNC.

“A lot depends upon the consequences of omicron compared to other variants,” he said. “If it causes similar disease, then I think our footing would not be dramatically different.”