Mecklenburg's COVID-19 Surge Prompts Warning From Officials

CHARLOTTE, NC — Coronavirus cases have jumped 30 percent in Mecklenburg County in two weeks and with it, the risk of exposure to the virus has "gone up significantly," the county's health director cautioned Friday.

"We are setting new record for hospitalizations every day," Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said during a news conference.

As of Friday, Dec. 11, there were 49,374 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mecklenburg County and 481 deaths from the virus. In the past week, there have been an average of 480 cases confirmed each day, up from the 14-day daily average of 433 cases. About 11 percent of those tested were positive for the virus, according to MCPH data.

Harris played a recent video clip found on social media showing a crowded Charlotte-area bar where unmasked patrons stood shoulder-to-shoulder.

"It's not surprising when you see this clip that we have the highest number of cases that have been reported to us since the beginning of the pandemic," Harris said.

SEE ALSO:North Carolina Reports 7,540 New COVID-19 Cases In 24 Hours

"I want to reemphasize the need for us to limit our exposure by staying at home when at all possible, limiting all activities outside your home to essential needs," Harris said. "The vaccine is our future. It's not our present," she said.

The Mecklenburg County health department expects to begin receiving shipments of the vaccine the week of Dec. 21, Harris said. "At this point, we have not heard how much," she said. The health department's first phase of vaccinations will be prioritized for hospital workers at higher risk of exposure, state certified EMTs and paramedics who have direct patient-care duties and public health staff working in vaccination clinics.

Hospitals in the region are preparing for the imminent arrival of the vaccine. Atrium Health Care said Friday that it expects to receive the Pfizer vaccine within days and begin vaccinating healthcare workers as early as next week.

Novant Health's Presbyterian Medical Center is one location in the region that setting up to administer vaccines. The facility, which procured ultra-low temperature freezers, is expecting to receive 29,025 doses within 48 hours after the vaccine is fully approved federally.

"We're very excited at Novant Health and have high confidence that the vaccine is safe and effective and that the approval process is being followed," Sid Fletcher, the chief clinical officer for the Charlotte metro for Novant Health.

Provided that federal approval comes over the weekend, healthcare workers considered high risk could begin receiving vaccinations by Tuesday, Fletcher said.

"Please know, we are not out of the woods and we cannot let our guard down," Fletcher said. "We have this much-anticipated vaccine that we see right around the corner. Talking about vaccine, reading about vaccine doesn't get anyone inoculated. It's going to take a period of time," he said.

Of most concern to the medical provider is the number of available hospital beds and healthcare staff.

"We are seeing the highest numbers that we've seen during this pandemic in the local community. We're seeing an increase positive test rate in our community, and — no surprise — we're at our highest volumes of inpatients since the pandemic began in March," Fletcher said. "We do see projections of that progressing over the next two to four weeks," much of which could be related to Thanksgiving holiday gatherings.

A surge in positive cases prompted a 48-hour lockdown at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center, the county sheriff announced Thursday.

As of Dec. 10, the detection center reported 107 inmates in custody and nearly two dozen staff members had tested positive. "In the first 72 hours of testing, [Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office] identified more than 20 staff members who were unwittingly positive with the virus," the sheriff's office said. "In order to facilitate contract tracing as efficiently as possible while minimizing additional exposures and potential spread of the virus, the Detention Center has eliminated all visitation and movement of residents for at least the next 48 hours, keeping all residents in Respiratory Isolation while contact tracing takes place."

The lockdown could be extended should more positive cases emerge during weekend testing, MCSO said.

Stay-At-Home Order
A new "modified Stay-At-Home" executive order goes into effect across the state Friday and, according to state officials, takes aim at social gatherings going into the holiday season. The new order requires

• people to stay at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• Businesses including restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, most retail stores and more, will be required to close by 10 p.m.
• All onsite alcohol consumption sales must end by 9 p.m.

The community has largely been compliant with executive orders, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Deputy Chief Jeff Estes said Friday. "One thing we've seen are reports of just blatant parties that are being hosted by groups that don't agree with the mask mandate or the governor's orders," he said. Those attending such activities can now expect to see police officers, he said.

A "Trash the Mask" protest is planned at Concord Mills Mall, prompting a response from Concord officials Friday.

"City of Concord officials and the Concord Police Department are aware of the 'Trash the Mask' event posted across social media platforms by individuals not affiliated with the mall," the city said in a statement. "City personnel have been and will continue to work with Simon Property officials to determine an appropriate course of action, as with any event or incident on mall property."

According to Concord officials, the mall operator "will be addressing and educating individuals of the Governor's Executive Order," if they're not wearing a face covering. Mall staff will also offer free masks to those not wearing one. "Per Simon Property management, their personnel will ask those continuing to deny using a mask to vacate mall property," city officials said.

Should a person be asked to leave and refuse, mall staff may contact the police, who may escort individuals off the mall property and issue trespassing citations.