(GDN) — Nearly two years into the pandemic, and the state remains weary and frustrated as COVID-19 cases surge. 

On Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper said most of the people currently in the ICU are unvaccinated.

Cooper urged citizens to get a vaccine and/or booster, which are still readily available across the state.

He notes the booster is especially important for those 65-and-older and other high-risk populations.

Gov. Cooper says he will extend Executive Order 224, which requires vaccinations or testing for state employees.

The Office of State Human Resources will also have the authority to include boosters in the definition of being up to date on vaccines when the CDC takes that action.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley says now is the time to upgrade your mask.

Kinsley recommends wearing a well-fitting, multi-layer mask, such as a surgical, N-95 or KN-95 mask.

North Carolina reported 10,276 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, and the state’s daily positivity rate skyrocketed to 29.7%. 

3,008 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID in the state. 

There have been 19,494 coronavirus-related deaths in North Carolina since the pandemic began.