Electronic reporting system broadens picture of NC COVID-19 deaths

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s COVID-19 metrics are improving even as fewer and fewer people are receiving a vaccine.

State health department data released Monday showed unvaccinated residents are far likelier to contract the virus, become hospitalized and die.

State health officials warn of a decreased effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing infection from the more contagious delta variant.

But the approved COVID-19 shots remain the best prevention measure.

In the past two weeks, hospitalizations have dropped by 25%. Cases have declined by more than 30%. The share of tests coming back positive are also dwindling.

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