coronavirus pandemic

Two glass vials that say "Naloxone HCL" and two wrapped syringes rest on a metal shelf at a needle exchange facility. In the background is a paper instructions on using the medication to reverse an opioid overdose

NC organizations fighting the rural opioid crisis receive a $4M federal boost

August 14, 2020 by Liora Engel-Smith

NC organizations fighting the rural opioid crisis receive a $4M federal boost - North Carolina Health News

Four agencies will tackle the opioid crisis in rural North Carolina with $1 million grants from the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

By Liora Engel-Smith Amid signs that the state is losing ground in its battle against the opioid crisis, four North Carolina agencies on the front lines of addiction and recovery have received $1 million apiece to address the issue in rural areas. Two recipients of the recent federal Department of Health and Human Services grants […]

shows a man putting on a mask against COVID-19 that has the seal of North Carolina on it.

Coronavirus Today – July 21 – Calls for strong federal leadership; testing shortage work-arounds; hardy salute to National Guard

July 21, 2020 by Anne Blythe

Coronavirus Today – July 21 – Calls for strong federal leadership; testing shortage work-arounds; hardy salute to National Guard - North Carolina Health News

As the pandemic rages on, North Carolina governor and top public health official call out the Trump administration.

By Anne Blythe Five months into the coronavirus pandemic, the North Carolina governor and his top public health official are expressing deja-vu-all-over-again frustrations about the lack of a strong federal plan for attacking COVID-19. At a media briefing on Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper and Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human […]

shows states that have higher rates of coronavirus patients

White House document shows 18 states in coronavirus “red zone”

July 20, 2020 by Center for Public Integrity

White House document shows 18 states in coronavirus “red zone” - North Carolina Health News

North Carolina is one of the states identified by White House advisors for increased scrutiny because of the high rate of coronavirus cases in the state.

By Liz Essley Whyte Center for Public Integrity A document prepared for the White House Coronavirus Task Force but not publicized suggests more than a dozen states should revert to more stringent protective measures, limiting social gatherings to 10 people or fewer, closing bars and gyms and asking residents to wear masks at all times. […]

We see several pumpkins with decorated with googley eyes, stickers and multicolored acrylic paint. In the center, the heart-laden face of an orange pumpkin wearing a pink yarn hat with feathers and rainbow pipecleaners looks back at us. The pumpkins were made at the October 2019 Parent Day at Orange County Correctional Center.

A year without visits: COVID-19’s impact on children with incarcerated parents

July 16, 2020 by Hannah Critchfield

A year without visits: COVID-19’s impact on children with incarcerated parents - North Carolina Health News

Correctional facilities throughout the state have shut down in-person visitations to help quell the spread of COVID-19, creating one more roadblock for kids trying to navigate the criminal justice system to stay connected with a parent.

By Hannah Critchfield In any other year, on Father’s Day, 11-year-old Marley Bennett and her grandmother would pack up their pre-made lunches and drive to Orange Correctional Center for a visit with Marley’s father. They’d sit at the picnic tables outside, and she and her dad would chat about the news and school friends over […]

Shows a woman in a McDonald's takeout window wearing a branded mask against COVID

Pandemic-related job loss nixes health insurance for nearly 200,000

July 15, 2020 by Rose Hoban

Pandemic-related job loss nixes health insurance for nearly 200,000 - North Carolina Health News

Medicaid advocates say expansion now would help rural and urban economies alike and provide health care to aid public health.

By Rose Hoban North Carolinians interested in the fate of Medicaid expansion certainly are familiar with the characters and well-worn script, by now. Now, in the middle of a pandemic, when many are losing jobs and health insurance and finding access to health care even more difficult at the precise time it should not be, […]

Coronavirus Today – July 14: “Plan B” for K-12 schools; district choices; simmering COVID-19 trends and metrics

July 14, 2020 by Anne Blythe

Coronavirus Today – July 14: “Plan B” for K-12 schools; district choices; simmering COVID-19 trends and metrics - North Carolina Health News

NC governor recommends in-person combined with remote teaching for the coming K-12 school year. Each district would have discretion over the exact mix.

By Anne Blythe Once school resumes next month, North Carolina’s 1.5 million public school children will have the opportunity for some in-class instruction across the state while some kids might continue with remote learning only. Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday that he had selected his “Plan B,” a hybrid model for instructing children in […]

We see a masked person exiting a Durham Harris Teeter on an overcast day. Behind him, a sign tells customers to wear a mask.

Are NC businesses enforcing the Governor’s mask mandate? It depends.

July 10, 2020 by Hannah Critchfield

Are NC businesses enforcing the Governor’s mask mandate? It depends. - North Carolina Health News

Many patrons, employees and owners question how much of an impact the Governor’s order has had on increasing customer mask use.

By Hannah Critchfield On Monday, Lora Spencer walked into Dick’s Sporting Goods in Morganton for a quick shopping trip before lunch. She was relieved to be in a state with a mandated mask policy — her husband had just returned from Florida, a current hot spot for the novel coronavirus, on a frightening Allegiant flight […]

A hand holds an iPhone with the Plume website open.

Telehealth offers transgender people a new way to receive hormone therapy, during the pandemic and beyond

July 8, 2020 by Hannah Critchfield

Telehealth offers transgender people a new way to receive hormone therapy, during the pandemic and beyond - North Carolina Health News

The COVID pandemic has paved way for virtual visits to continue for transgender patients, offering easy - and private - access to hormone replacement therapy and other care.

By Hannah Critchfield Taylor made the video call from the car. The vehicle was as familiar as an office by now – before the pandemic hit, it was where 27-year-old Taylor changed into dresses before going out with friends, and where they wiped the makeup off their face before returning home each night. It was […]

North Carolina’s coronavirus surge, explained in three charts

July 7, 2020 by Liora Engel-Smith

North Carolina’s coronavirus surge, explained in three charts - North Carolina Health News

With more numbers than ever, it can be hard to understand the magnitude of the pandemic in North Carolina. We’ve created three charts to help you make sense of coronavirus in the state.

By Liora Engel-Smith Four months into the pandemic that led to about 1,400 deaths in North Carolina, sickened thousands more, created massive unemployment and disrupted nearly every aspect of life, the magnitude of coronavirus in the state remains hard to grasp. State officials cited some of those indicators as the deciding factors in halting the […]

image shows a family of three, all dressed in black and wearing red and white masks

Waiting for a kidney during a pandemic

July 6, 2020 by Melba Newsome

Waiting for a kidney during a pandemic - North Carolina Health News

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on both routine kidney care and the number of transplants. At the same time, the estimated 37 million American adults with chronic kidney disease are at greater risk of contracting the virus.

By Melba Newsome This story is co-published by NC Health News, the Charlotte Post and the Charlotte Observer. This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center. Traci Evans Simmons’ job as an assistant in a pediatric medical practice normally brings her into contact with many people every day, a fact that unnerved her when the […]

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