Wake Forest Baptist Health

Map of counties in NC by coronavirus spread. Rural counties are mostly in the higher categories, while urban counties are in the lower tiers.

Some of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in NC are in rural areas

December 3, 2020 by Liora Engel-Smith

Some of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in NC are in rural areas - North Carolina Health News

As coronavirus spreads from urban to rural areas, experts worry that longstanding disparities could mean more serious cases and deaths there.

By Liora Engel-Smith Avery County was North Carolina’s last coronavirus holdout. In early May, as cases mounted elsewhere, the mountainous county had not seen a single case. By mid-May, however, the tiny border county had lost that distinction, as county officials reported a case. By mid-summer, as the state’s largest urban centers saw a spike […]

shows a map of North Carolina broken up into six regions for Medicaid managed care provision

Medicaid managed-care wannabes take protest to new court

September 29, 2020 by Anne Blythe

Medicaid managed-care wannabes take protest to new court - North Carolina Health News

After losing out on lucrative contracts with DHHS, Medicaid managed care companies file appeals once again ahead of next year's start date.

By Anne Blythe and Rose Hoban In the middle of a coronavirus pandemic that has tossed up challenge after challenge, the state Department of Health and Human Services also must tend to another enormous project. Over the next 10 months, the department has been told by the legislature to complete the transformation of its cumbersome […]

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 […]

Cone Health drive-thru clinic personnel get supplies outside.

COVID-19 federal aid has kept NC’s rural hospitals afloat, for now.

June 29, 2020 by Liora Engel-Smith

COVID-19 federal aid has kept NC’s rural hospitals afloat, for now. - North Carolina Health News

With fewer resources to begin with, North Carolina’s rural providers struggled financially at the first phases of the pandemic. Federal aid has kept the doors open, but with COVID cases rising in the state, advocates say more support may be needed.

By Liora Engel-Smith Federal support to rural hospitals helped some of the state’s most cash-strapped facilities through the first phases of the coronavirus pandemic, but advocates say providers will likely need more support down the line. Through the federal coronavirus aid package known as the CARES Act, hospitals got money for care and testing of […]

A bottle of pills is on its side and blue pills are spilling from it.

With more questions than answers, hydroxychloroquine still under the microscope

June 4, 2020 by Anne Blythe

With more questions than answers, hydroxychloroquine still under the microscope - North Carolina Health News

Duke University is leading a nationwide study of frontline health care workers to test whether HCQ can prevent COVID-19.

By Anne Blythe Four months ago, few would have fathomed that a 65-year-old drug would become a household name now recognized by many North Carolinians and the subject of heated political discourse. But that’s the recent history of hydroxychloroquine. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyday parlance to include such phrases as “flattening the curve,” “social […]

we see hands of a researcher who is moving around dangerous pathogens such as covid -19

General Assembly leaders supported a study on COVID with $100,000. What will it tell us going forward?

April 16, 2020 by Rose Hoban

General Assembly leaders supported a study on COVID with $100,000. What will it tell us going forward? - North Carolina Health News

A Wake Forest Baptist study aims to track who’s infected or not, but is only part of the broader picture as NC takes next steps.

By Rose Hoban The science of tracking the novel coronavirus’ spread took on a political tinge Wednesday with Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) participating in the rollout of a research study to track people who may have already had COVID-19 without knowing it. Berger announced earlier this week that $100,000 in discretionary funding from the […]

shows a Rosie the Riveter image chalked into the sidewalk, she's wearing a mask and holding a stethescope to combat COVID

Coronavirus Today – April 15 – Research, tests and the need for gradual changes

April 15, 2020 by Editor

Coronavirus Today – April 15 – Research, tests and the need for gradual changes - North Carolina Health News

Senate leader Phil Berger announced a research initiative to take look back at who may have had COVID-19, while Gov. Roy Cooper and Sec. Mandy Cohen worry the state lacks enough to do adequate disease tracking.

More testing, more tracing, even more attention to COVID-19 trends Gov. Roy Cooper offered a more detailed look at what needs to happen when North Carolina begins to ease restrictions in place now to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed with patients infected with COVID-19. He outlined a three-part plan that includes wider-spread testing for the […]

Gov. Roy Cooper is stepping up to the podium before his talk about coronavirus control measures at a press briefing Friday.

Coronavirus Today – April 3 – Cooper urges people to stay home, Atrium and Novant ask for a field hospital

April 3, 2020 by Editor

Coronavirus Today – April 3 – Cooper urges people to stay home, Atrium and Novant ask for a field hospital - North Carolina Health News

NC officials have said they are fighting the coronavirus pandemic on many fronts and have implored the public to do their part and stay home.

By North Carolina Health News staff As Gov. Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina has gone beyond 2,000 cases of COVID-19 and lost 19 people to the highly contagious virus, he urged people to heed his stay-at-home order, especially as meteorologists forecast nice weather for the weekend. “I know it’s tempting to get away from […]

shows health care workers in protective gowns waiting for patients to be tested for Coronavirus, COVID-19

Coronavirus Today – Tuesday, March 17 – Restaurants and bars closed

March 17, 2020 by Editor

Coronavirus Today – Tuesday, March 17 – Restaurants and bars closed - North Carolina Health News

As the number of COVID-19 cases in the state climbs to 40, Cooper bans eating at restaurants and bars. Meanwhile, several hospitals across the state have been canceling non-essential surgeries and programs to feed children while they’re out of school begin.

Governor closing bars and restaurants If you were hoping to make it out to your favorite bar to raise a pint in honor of St. Patrick today, your Irish luck just ran out. As of 5 p.m. today, Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all restaurants and bars in North Carolina to be closed except for providing […]

shows a group of people gathered on a graffiti covered bridge, they're working with equipment that's on the ground.

What stories grabbed you in 2019? NC Health News most-read stories of the year, continued.

December 31, 2019 by Editor

What stories grabbed you in 2019? NC Health News most-read stories of the year, continued. - North Carolina Health News

NC Health News published more than 300 stories in 2019. These are rest of the topics which were widely read, shared and commented on.

By NC Health News staff PFAS, 1,4 dioxane still troubling NC waters In the Wilmington area, the reaction was swift to news in 2017 that potentially unhealthy levels of GenX and other “forever chemicals” had been found in drinking water drawn from the Cape Fear River. There, officials had someone to blame. The state Department […]

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