Photo: Gov. Cooper’s Twitter feed today

March 3. By Dave Yochum. With additional frontline essential workers in Group 3 eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, including grocery store workers, law enforcement and firefighters, college staff and restaurant workers, some providers may not be ready

There is still high demand for vaccines in Groups 1, 2, and 3.

The new Johnson & Johnson vaccine and improving vaccine supply is expected to help, said Gov. Roy Cooper. “Our essential frontline workers have remained on the job throughout this pandemic and I am grateful for their work,” he said.

Beginning on March 24, people at higher risk from COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions will become eligible to receive a vaccine, as well as people in certain congregate-living settings. For more information on Group 4, click here.

New cases

The NC Dept. of Health & Human Services today reported 2,145 new cases of COVID-19 statewide for a total of 865,554 since the outbreak began last year.

Hospitalizations

Statewide, hospitalizations fell to 1,303 from 1,353 yesterday.

Deaths

There were 75 new deaths statewide attributable to the coronavirus. In Mecklenburg County, there were three new deaths.

Testing

The statewide positive test rate climbed to 6.1 percent from 5.7 percent. In Mecklenburg County, it fell to 5.5 percent from 5.7 percent.

Mecklenburg

The NCDHHS reported 206 new cases.

North Mecklenburg

Cornelius: 17 new cases, 2,541 cumulative; 21 deaths total.

Davidson: 7 new cases, 1,434 cumulative; 15 deaths total.

Huntersville: 8 new cases, 5,144 cumulative; 47 deaths total.