NC Schools Planning For In-Person Classes, Masks This Fall

NORTH CAROLINA — As classes wind down for the summer across the state, students in North Carolina can expect to not only return to class for in-person instruction in the fall, they'll likely still be wearing masks when they do so, according to the state's top public health official.

The news comes as more than half of adults in the state have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Vaccination efforts in North Carolina are key to making sure students start the new school year in the fall in school buildings, and not remotely, according to Gov. Roy Cooper.

"Almost 80 percent of people 65 and older have been vaccinated. Children as young as 12 are eligible. We're glad to see young people who want a vaccine so they can stay safe from this virus," Cooper said at a news conference Wednesday. "That’s more help for our plan to have all students able to attend school in-person this fall."

As of Wednesday, more than 4.2 million North Carolinians, or about 53 percent of the adult population in the state, had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

"In addition to protecting yourself from COVID-19 and virus-related hospitalizations and death, getting vaccinated means being able to do all the things that you did before the pandemic," DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said Wednesday.

That strategy, however, remains out of reach for younger children who are not yet eligible for vaccinations.

SEE ALSO: NC Patch Readers Split On COVID-19 Vaccine For Children: Survey

"The [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] continues to recommend that those who are unvaccinated wear a mask indoors. That includes the vast majority of our children who are in K-12 schools," Cohen said. North Carolina's call for students to wear masks inside schools will continue until CDC guidance changes, she added.

"As of right now, we want to be sure we're protecting our students and making sure those who are unvaccinated are wearing masks. So that is what we will continue to do," Cohen said.

One initiative that is moving the needle for vaccination rates in some communities is a $25 cash card promotion for those who get vaccinated and those who provide transportation to vaccination sites.

SEE ALSO: NC Offers $25 Cash Cards For First Dose Vaccinations

The program runs May 26 through June 8 at select vaccination sites in Mecklenburg, Guilford, Rowan and Rockingham counties.

In the first week of the program, North Carolina distributed almost 1,000 cash cards for those receiving vaccinations and more than 375 cards to those who drove them.

"Surveys are showing that the financial support is making a difference," Cohen said, adding that about one out of four people who participated said the cash card incentive was an important motivation in their decision to get vaccinated.

More information about the vaccination sites offering the $25 Summer Cash Cash promotion may be found here.

SEE ALSO:

• NC Extends Programs For Rent, Utility Financial Assistance
• 2021 Hurricane Season: NOAA Unveils Predictions For Atlantic
• Carolina Renaissance Festival To Return For 2021: Details