CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County's public health leaders will start winding down on briefings regarding COVID-19 updates as case trends continue to decrease.
A weekly briefing began at 2:30 p.m. online and is being shared by the county government. Expected to speak were Health Director Gibbie Harris and Medical Director Dr. Meg Sullivan, along with County Manager Dena Diorio.
Diorio opened the briefing in-person at the public health center's office, saying the improving metrics meant the return of in-person briefings, and that county employees would begin returning to offices come July. Further details were promised to be hashed out.
Harris then took the podium, confirming improving trends in Mecklenburg County. She noted improvements in vaccination rates among the Latinx community, but said the county was still working on getting more shots to African-American community members.
Harris went on to praise county employees and first responders for their work in the community over the last 15 months, but still noted the pandemic is not over. She noted there were still members of the community who lost loved ones and remembered their deaths. She also wished everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend, and urged people who still were not vaccinated against the virus to mask up.
Sullivan was up next on the mic to elaborate on vaccination efforts. She highlighted collaborations with community partners to ensure more shots can get into more arms, including Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and Medic. Sullivan said more than 500,000 residents are partially vaccinated, while about 400,000 residents were fully vaccinated. She underscored a dedication to vaccine equity in the community as well.
Sullivan also announced some county vaccine clinics will offer $25 cash cards as an incentive for people to get vaccinated. The details about which sites will get the cards will be announced soon. Harris also noted it could be an avenue for people hesitant about getting the shot a chance to listen to the benefits of getting vaccinated.
WCNC Charlotte anchor Vanessa Ruffes asked about the vaccine disparity in Charlotte's "wedge of affluence", and what the county would do to address this. Harris said the health department was providing pop-up clinics in areas seeing vaccine disparities, zoned out by ZIP code. Harris said clinics in those areas would see the cash cards as part of the experience.
When asked about the Carolina Panthers moving back to 100% full capacity at games, Harris urged fans to continue being safe, and for unvaccinated residents to wear masks. She noted her department was talking with the Panthers and other sports teams to ensure that point is driven home.
Harris noted Gov. Roy Cooper's initial goal of getting 2/3rds of the county vaccinated by June 1 may be pushed back to July, but said her office was actively trying to get more shots out. WCNC reporter Chloe Leshner noted North Carolina had just passed the milestone of one million COVID-19 cases, and Harris reflected on that, saying she hopes people are taking getting vaccinated and masking seriously.
Previous updates have seen Harris and Sullivan discuss the need to get more COVID-19 vaccines out into the community. Last week, Harris said the county would try to take a more targeted approach to give out shots. Her focus was on accessibility and partnerships with groups like Action NC to meet community members where they are.
Contact Matthew Ablon at mablon@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
