Charlotte health brief: measles watch, expanded senior medical rides, and new outreach results in northwest Charlotte
Charlotte, NC – March 3, 2026 – Measles updates, new non-emergency medical rides for seniors, and expanded outreach services in NW Charlotte.
Charlotte-area health agencies and major providers are balancing outbreak vigilance with access-to-care updates that affect day-to-day healthcare in Mecklenburg County.
Measles: regional case counts and recent exposure locations tied to area care sites
WSOC-TV reported Monday that the CDC is tracking more than 1,100 measles cases across 27 states this year, a level the station described as far above what is typically expected. The report also said most confirmed cases have been among people ages 5 to 19.
For North Carolina, the same report said the state is reporting 23 confirmed cases in Union, Burke, Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties. WSOC-TV also summarized a Union County update involving an unvaccinated child under age 5 and noted the child visited a Novant Children’s location in Monroe on Feb. 19 and later visited Atrium Health Levine Children’s Urgent Care during an overnight window.
Health officials have urged residents to follow local public health guidance and rely on official updates for timing, locations, and next steps related to potential exposures.
Non-emergency medical transportation: county opens trips to new riders and outlines fees
Mecklenburg County announced Feb. 27 that the Mecklenburg Transportation System (MTS) has opened trips to new customers. The county describes MTS as a non-emergency medical and general public transportation service for eligible seniors (60+) and disabled residents under 60.
According to the county, MTS rides can include trips to medical appointments such as dialysis or chemotherapy, as well as grocery stores, food banks and farmers markets, adult day care, employment and post-secondary education. Trips for Medicaid-approved appointments are listed as no-fee to the customer; other trips carry a $1.50 fee each way. The county also said cashless fare options are planned for 2026, and community meetings are scheduled March 2 through March 11 to explain the changes.
Northwest Charlotte: early results from expanded health and housing supports
In a Feb. 26 update, Mecklenburg County reported early results from an enhanced service strategy around Catherine Simmons Avenue in northwest Charlotte. The county said it directed $562,000 in November 2025 toward added health, housing and support services in the area, including street outreach, hygiene services, shelter services, and physical and behavioral health services.
The county’s update said public health staff provided comprehensive STI testing and education for 162 people, and outreach partners connected residents to services that included behavioral health support, emergency shelter, and help obtaining identification documents.
Sources
https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/cdc-measles-cases-surge-six-times-higher-than-expected-an-entire-year/EGT4KWPURZBGTIJ5YRWJOGM2O4/
https://news.mecknc.gov/news/new-senior-rides-mecklenburg-transportation-system-accepting-new-clients
https://engage.mecknc.gov/A51162
https://news.mecknc.gov/residents-experience-expanded-services-nw-charlottes-catherine-simmons-neighborhood
If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
