RALEIGH – Gov. Roy Cooper’s office postponed a COVID-19 briefing that was originally scheduled to be held today at 2 p.m. from the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.
Approximately two hours after his office announced the briefing it was then moved to Thursday, July 29.
In a statement obtained by Asheville TV station WLOS, a Cooper communications official said, “The more contagious Delta variant that is spreading almost entirely among unvaccinated people is concerning. The COVID-19 vaccines remain safe and effective in combatting this virus, and they are the best weapon we have to fight the Delta variant or other strains. The Governor and state health officials will review changes to CDC guidance and he strongly encourages schools and businesses to enact important safety precautions and unvaccinated people to wear masks until they get their shots.”
Speculation among state political leaders suggests that the CDC’s latest guidance re-instituting mask wearing even for fully vaccinated adults may lead Cooper to adjust state policies once again via executive order.
At last week’s briefing, Gov. Cooper said he was letting the remaining parts of his statewide mask mandate expire.
