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North Carolina has rolled out initiatives to move the state forward as COVID-19 settles in as a long-term aspect of public health awareness. The Department of Health and Human Services also launched a four-year plan to boost the state's economic prospects, especially for the business community.

Slowly but surely, we’re moving out of a pandemic.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday the next steps to push North Carolina forward from the novel coronavirus outbreak.

“Over the last two years, we’ve written a history of hardship and resilience, setbacks and successes,” he said. “But now, we enter the next phase. One of individual responsibility, preparedness, and prosperity. This virus will still be with us, but it won’t disrupt us.”

Cases continue to decrease in Mecklenburg County and across the state.

As of March 16, there were 261 confirmed COVID cases in the county within a seven-day period, compared to 373 cases reported March 10.

As of March 18, there were 1,740 cases reported in North Carolina with 723 people hospitalized and 72% of adults who are fully vaccinated.

Cooper was joined by Kody Kinsley, the newly appointed secretary of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to outline the plan to adapt to this new phase.

“We have worked hard to get here. With a robust toolset, we are prepared now as individuals and as a state in ways we could have not been two years ago or even two months ago.” Secretary Kinsley said. “As we move forward together, we will continue to ensure every North Carolinian has access to the tools and information they need to protect themselves and others.”

With COVID shots, testing, treatments, and other tools available NCDHHS introduced the Moving Forward Together plan to focus on four principles:

• Empowering individuals to make informed decisions for their individual lives in returning to normal routines

• Maintaining health system capacity by continuing to coordinate with the state’s health care community

• Collaborating with local partners to support resilience and speed recovery

• Prioritizing equity in access to information and tools needed to protect against COVID-19.

From the start of the major health crisis, Gov. Cooper utilized data and scientific information to drive the state’s COVID response. As a result, North Carolina had “the lowest per capita death rate in the southeast and among the lowest in the nation, and statewide hospital capacity has never exceeded 91%,” according to NCDHHS.

However, if a new and deadly variant of the virus emerges, the state department will be ready to respond. Health leaders continue to encourage vaccines because these inoculations offer the best protection for yourself and others.

“The COVID-19 virus will be with us for the foreseeable future, and we will need to learn to live with the virus,” said Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, NCDHHS chief medical officer and state health director.  “I encourage you to speak with your trusted health care provider as you consider your own risk and the actions you can take now and in the future.”

The state has also rolled out a four-year plan to restore and grow the economy after many businesses closed because of COVID. State economists said that North Carolina has recovered to employment levels and gross domestic product that were seen pre-COVID.

The First in Talent Strategic Economic Development Plan will focus on:

• Preparing North Carolina’s workforce for career and entrepreneurial success.

• Positioning North Carolina’s businesses for success by growing and attracting a talented workforce.

• Preparing communities across North Carolina to be more competitive in growing and attracting a talented workforce and businesses.

“Despite the pandemic, North Carolina continues to attract major investments and expand homegrown companies,” state Commerce Secretary Machelle Sanders said. “As the last two years have taught us, conditions can change rapidly and our businesses, workforce and communities must be skilled enough to adapt and grow. We are implementing the First in Talent strategic economic development plan because CEOs’ number one question is always about our workforce, and we can’t rely solely on what made us successful in the past.”

Aaliyah Bowden, who covers health at The Post, is a Report For America corps member.

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