By Michael Hyland, CBS 17 Digital Desk | February 23, 2021 at 12:37 PM EST – Updated February 23 at 12:37 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – The secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said the state has begun to receive shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine that were delayed last week.
Dr. Mandy Cohen said while speaking to the North Carolina General Assembly that last week’s shipments of the vaccine will arrive Tuesday and Wednesday.
The state will receive two weeks’ worth of vaccinations in one week.
The CDC allocated a total of 162,875 first doses to the state for the week of Feb. 15 and 200,120 first doses to the state this week – an increase of 22.9 percent.
Those shipment totals include both the Pfizer and Moderna numbers.
At the time, NCDHHS said it was working with the CDC and vaccine providers to help minimize “the potential effects of these delays.”
Cohen said she was optimistic about the vaccine.
Group 3 begins Wednesday with employees at schools and child care facilities.
Cohen was also asked about the possibility of easing COVID-19 restrictions.
North Carolina’s key COVID-19 metrics have been trending in the right direction over the last several weeks.
Cohen noted the recent decline in hospitalizations and said Gov. Roy Cooper is looking to ease restrictions.
An announcement expected this week, but Cohen not clear about any specific steps.
Copyright 2021 Nexstar Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
