New COVID-19 Delta Variant Rapidly Spreading Throughout NC: DHHS

NORTH CAROLINA — The highly contagious, more dangerous Delta variant of COVID-19 is rapidly spreading in North Carolina, increasing the urgency for residents to get vaccinated, state health officials said Wednesday.

"Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified the Delta variant as a ‘variant of concern’ because it spreads faster than current COVID-19 variants. Early studies from the United Kingdom have also shown a possible increased risk of hospitalization in people infected with the Delta variant," North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.

The news comes as North Carolina reports about 55 percent of adults in the state have had at least one dose of vaccine, and about 51 percent of adults were fully vaccinated.

Recent studies indicated that about 19 percent of those who have COVID and are asymptomatic can later develop medical issues such as fatigue, breathing difficulties and high-blood pressure, and that nearly 28 percent of COVID patients can still experience lasting symptoms, DHHS said, citing a FAIR Health study.

SEE ALSO: NC To Award $1M Prizes, Expand Cash Incentives For Vaccinations

"While our COVID-19 trends are good, we are still seeing unvaccinated people hospitalized and dying from this virus, and many struggling with long-term effects like having difficulty breathing when doing simple activities. This is preventable if you get a vaccine to protect yourself and your community," DHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen said.

State officials continue to hold hope that recently unveiled cash incentives will help improve stalled out vaccination rates.

On June 23, North Carolina will hold its first drawing for a $1 million prize given to a state resident who has had at least one vaccination dose. The cash giveaway is one of four planned this summer, along with a $25 cash card incentive program underway in some areas of the state.

"North Carolinians 18 and over who get vaccinated or have already been vaccinated will be automatically entered. North Carolinians from 12-17 who have gotten at least one shot are automatically entered into four drawings to pay $125,000 for a college education at a school of their choice," Gov. Roy Cooper said in announcing the program earlier this month.

SEE ALSO:

• NC One Of Top States In US For Elder Fraud: FBI Report
• This Cheeseburger Just Named The Best In North Carolina: MSN
  
• Latta Plantation Faces Backlash For 'Racist' Juneteenth Event
• Mecklenburg County Bridges Among About 35K In US Needing Repair