North Carolina
North Carolina COVID-19 cases increase but experts don’t expect return of masking, closures
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Ahead of the back-to-school season, doctors are urging families to take precautions now to ward off respiratory viruses.
COVID-19 metrics are seeing an uptick in North Carolina.
More than 26 million virus particles were found in North Carolina wastewater last week; six times more than the amount detected two months ago, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
The number of patients admitted to a hospital for COVID-19 is also increasing. More than 400 patients were admitted statewide; this is the sixth week of increase and the highest number of patients since March.
Despite the recent uptick, the state’s metrics remain significantly lower than last August — when the state had 1,259 COVID-19 patients in the hospital.
SEE ALSO | New COVID-19 variant EG.5 emerges as cases of the virus increase in North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said this increase isn’t surprising and he doesn’t predict any stricter restrictions will be put in place.
“We know COVID is going to rise and fall, but the big difference now is that we have effective tools to manage that, more like we manage other respiratory viruses, flu, etc.,” Moore said.
The state is still only detecting a handful of flu and RSV cases. The latest data showed 14 people were admitted to the hospital last week for the flu. NCDHHS data also shows the number of people arriving at the emergency department with flu and RSV symptoms has remained low for months.
“I think the thing to do is do everything you can now to prepare yourself be ready when those viruses hit so that we don’t end up in a situation where we have a lot more illness and where our hospitals and health care system get stretched again,” Moore recommended.
A new COVID-19 vaccine is expected out this fall, but the exact timeline is still unknown. The vaccine is designed to better target Omicron variants.
SEE ALSO | CDC reveals new vaccine recommendations for COVID-19, flu, RSV
“When they’re going back to school. Vaccinations are, of course, the best line of defense that we have for COVID and influenza. So if you have kids who haven’t had the COVID vaccinations yet, we would encourage that,” Moore said.
Moore suggested anyone who is at high risk or has a high-risk family member get a COVID-19 booster now rather than waiting for the updated version. For everyone else, he recommends waiting for the updated version.
As for Flu vaccines, Josef’s Pharmacy manager Jonathan Harward said they have started to get some doses of vaccines but are still waiting on double doses. The CDC recommends people get flu vaccines in September or October.
“We haven’t seen much flu yet, so I think there’s still plenty of time there for people to protect themselves,” Moore said.
RSV vaccines for people 60 years and up are also expected out soon.
“We spoke with our vaccine distributor yesterday and we’re hopeful to be able to have that in the next month or so,” Harward said.
He said it is still too soon to know just how severe this respiratory season will be, so he recommends everyone prepare now.
Moore also recommends people stock up on COVID-19 tests now and stay home if they detect any symptoms.
For more vaccine recommendations and guidelines click here.
The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 25 drawing
15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing
04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing
Day: 8-0-0, Fireball: 3
Evening: 7-3-2, Fireball: 2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing
Day: 9-0-3-0, Fireball: 7
Evening: 9-3-8-4, Fireball: 7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing
03-09-28-39-40
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Double Play numbers from Dec. 25 drawing
01-11-15-18-22
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:
- Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
- Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
- Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.
When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
- Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — At Winchester Creek Farm, Santa Claus traded in his traditional reindeer for alpacas during the farm’s Santa Tour on Monday.
The event offered visitors a unique opportunity to pose for photos with Santa and interact closely with the farm’s animals.
The farm also featured a large mailbox for children to send their letters to Santa. Luanna Baldwin, a mother from Canton, expressed her delight with the experience.
“This was a great outing to take the girls for some Christmas magic,” Baldwin said. “They’ve been asking to see Santa, write a letter specifically, so that was super fun.”
At Winchester Creek Farm, Santa Claus traded in his traditional reindeer for alpacas during the farm’s Santa Tour, which concluded on Monday, Dec. 23.
WLOS via CNN Newsource
In addition to the alpacas, the tour allowed guests to feed and pet various other farm animals. Farm Manager Ashley Edwards highlighted the joy the event brings to visitors of all ages.
“We have people come in who are in their 60s, 70s, and above who have never touched a chicken before, and I’m able to provide that kind of happiness to their hearts to their soul, and I think it’s great,” Edwards said. “This is a memory people aren’t going to forget.”
Winchester Creek Farm has been hosting the Santa Tours for the past six years. Although this year’s event has ended, the farm offers tours throughout the year.
Winchester Creek Farm operates as a year-round working farm, raising animals primarily for the fiber produced by their coats.
SEE ALSO | Schools closed for winter break: Family fun things to do
Featured video is ABC11 24/7 Livestream
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – An eight-car crash injured several people and shut down a major interstate on Christmas Eve, the Charlotte Fire Department confirmed.
The crash happened at Interstate 85 North at West W.T. Harris Boulevard. I-85 was shut down by 7:40 p.m. and isn’t expected to reopen before 10:40 p.m.
Of those injured, two were taken to area hospitals, according to Medic.
Crews at the scene said to expect significant delays in the area.
For the latest traffic maps, visit drivenc.gov.
WBTV is working to find out more information. Download the free WBTV News app for the latest updates sent straight to your device.
Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.
Trump has Christmas message to 'Radical Left Lunatics,' tells inmates Biden granted clemency to 'GO TO HELL!'
What is sunset anxiety? Here's how to know if you have late-day distress
'Sopranos' star says she wanted to 'go after' 76ers' Joel Embiid for elbowing Knicks guard during playoff game
The life-changing benefits of Apple's Personal Voice and Live Speech
Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra talks 'arms dealer' strategy, defends 'Spider-Man' spinoffs
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Trump has Christmas message to 'Radical Left Lunatics,' tells inmates Biden granted clemency to 'GO TO HELL!'
2024: Top 10 defining moments in the European Parliament
Popeye, Tintin and more will enter the public domain in the new year
Trump picks Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera for Panama ambassador
Five journalists killed in Israeli strike near Gaza hospital
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924653/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0003_1.png "Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps")
Technology5 days agoGoogle’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps
-
News6 days agoNovo Nordisk shares tumble as weight-loss drug trial data disappoints
-
Politics6 days agoIllegal immigrant sexually abused child in the U.S. after being removed from the country five times
-
Entertainment7 days ago'It's a little holiday gift': Inside the Weeknd's free Santa Monica show for his biggest fans
-
Lifestyle6 days agoThink you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you!
-
Technology1 week agoFox News AI Newsletter: OpenAI responds to Elon Musk's lawsuit
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25672934/Metaphor_Key_Art_Horizontal.png "There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does")
Technology2 days agoThere’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does
-
News3 days agoFrance’s new premier selects Eric Lombard as finance minister