After months of decline, North Carolina is experiencing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases among those who are unvaccinated.

All of the state’s key metrics are increasing with hospitalizations doubling over the past two weeks, the number of people going to the emergency department with COVID-like symptoms rising, and the percent of tests that are positive well over the 5% threshold. Our trends are accelerating at an alarmingly fast rate because of the highly contagious Delta variant.

Unvaccinated people are driving this resurgence and getting themselves and other people sick. People who are unvaccinated make up almost all cases where people are hospitalized and dying.

Vaccinations are our only way of the pandemic. To find a vaccine location, go to MySpot.nc.gov. Getting vaccinated prevents serious illness, hospitalizations and death and slows community spread. Rigorous clinical trials among thousands of people ages 12 and older have proven that vaccines are safe and effective. More than 160 million Americans have been safely vaccinated.

To respond to rising COVID-19 trends, NCDHHS has updated its guidance. If you are not vaccinated, you need to continue practicing the 3 Ws. Wear a mask in all indoor public settings. Wait 6 feet apart in all public settings. Wash your hands often. You should not gather with unvaccinated people who do not live with you. If you do, stay outside and keep 6 feet apart. If you are not vaccinated, you also should not travel.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who live in areas with high or substantial levels of transmission wear a mask when in indoor public settings - even if they are vaccinated. In North Carolina, that is already more than 90% of counties.

The CDC also recommends that all K-12 schools require universal masking, regardless of vaccination status. NCDHHS updated its guidance for schools to align with this recommendation.

This moment requires action. Don’t wait until you infect someone you love. Get a vaccine today.