With 1,434 new cases of coronavirus reported over the last 24 hours in North Carolina, state leaders continue to push to get shots in arms.

At a media briefing on Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper reported 60% of adult North Carolinians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Gov. Cooper says the current executive order will expire at the end of this month.

While there will no longer be a statewide mask mandate, Cooper says he expects people to be smart and follow the public health guidance.

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen outlined COVID guidance for schools when summer break ends.

Dr. Cohen says the toolkit suggests all schools for K-8 should require all children and staff to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.

For 9-12 grade schools, anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated, including students, should wear a mask indoors.

Gov. Cooper says the pandemic is not behind us yet, and he adds the state will take necessary steps if the pandemic worsens.

North Carolina has recorded 13,550 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic began.