Dunn, NC – Health officials say that while the number of people vaccinated in the state continues to increase, do not let your guard down.
Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in North Carolina are declining, but doctors say we need more people vaccinated before we can get together in groups.
Some people who get the vaccine decrease social distance and mask use after the first injection, Dr. Scott Gottlieb told CNBC.
“I don’t think people should feel completely safe after the first shot,” Gottlieb told CNBC.
Experts say this is especially true for someone older or with pre-existing illnesses and may be more vulnerable to coronavirus.
The majority of the population must be immune to the coronavirus for the herd’s immunity to be achieved and for it to be safe to remove the masks. Experts estimate that 70% of the United States’ population – which is more than 200 million people – would need to be vaccinated to obtain collective immunity, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The researchers say it is not yet clear whether a coronavirus infection makes someone immune to the virus, which is why social detachment, the use of masks and vaccines are key to preventing spread. We could continue wearing masks next year, says expert Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“We need a lot more people vaccinated,” said Dr. David Wohl, a specialist in infectious diseases at UNC. “I am really hopeful that [this] daylight saving time will be very different from the previous daylight saving time. “
According to recent data from the CDC, almost 84,000 people in North Carolina received their second dose of the coronavirus vaccine.