Vaccine Team

Pfizer has been conducting clinical trials of its two-dose vaccine in children 2 years and older

Hospitals said patients are getting sick faster and staying sick longer, extending inpatient and ICU stays across the state. The result: more hospitals are reporting critical shortages of staff to serve people in need of medical care.

Since the last few weeks of August, the 11 to 20 age group has recorded the highest number of COVID cases out of any other group. The 0-11 age group comes in right behind them. The third week in June, the 11-20 age group accounted for about 180 cases. This past week, that number has skyrocketed to more than 7,700.

What do you think? The mandate will stay in place until Mecklenburg County drops to a 5 percent positivity rate.

Gift cards will be distributed to people who get a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Palmer Grove Baptist Church in Kingstown Friday morning.

Gaston County employees will receive some extra money if they get the COVID-19 vaccine.