Here’s the latest news for March 17.

We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.

Cases continue to climb

North Carolina has 40 reported cases of the coronavirus as of Monday, including a student diagnosed at Campbell University and the first presumptive positive case in Iredell County.

The reported cases are in 16 counties, a sign that COVID-19 has continued to spread from the first reported cases in the Raleigh area. Fifteen cases have been reported in Wake County.

Three additional cases were reported in Mecklenburg on Monday, bringing the county total to seven. Its neighbor Cabarrus County has one reported case.

Sampson and Iredell counties reported their first cases of the virus Monday.

No deaths from the virus have been reported in North Carolina.

Health officials say North Carolina could see 110 positive cases by the end of this week and 4,000 by early April.

Avoid gatherings of 10 or more

President Donald Trump said in a news conference Monday that people should avoid gathering in groups of 10 or more and shouldn’t go to bars or restaurants for 15 days.

This comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday said people should avoid gathering in groups of 50 or more for two months. That includes “conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies,” the CDC said.

Relief for businesses

Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help North Carolina business owners facing losses due to the coronavirus.

Under the declaration, businesses could get “disaster loans” to help with operating expenses and other financial obligations.

Schools are out starting Monday

Gov. Roy Cooper’s order for schools to close for at least two weeks goes into effect Monday. The order also includes before- and after-school programs.

“We know this will not be easy for anyone, and we are working closely with local officials, legislators, and the governor’s team to help our state and families best cope with these measures,” state schools superintendent Mark Johnson said Sunday.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced Sunday that all employees must report to work on Monday as usual, despite the lack of students, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Testing frustrations

Some North Carolina residents who say they have symptoms of the coronavirus have reported that their doctors won’t test them.

State health officials said over the weekend that testing for the virus has expanded, but frustrations are mounting.

Dr. Alexander Raines of Hillsborough wrote in a letter to the editor of The News & Observer that his clinic still can’t test patients. He called the rationing of tests “inadequate and dangerous.”

No evictions, foreclosures

North Carolina said Monday that it will stop eviction and foreclosure hearings for the next 30 days to reduce courthouse traffic.

“All civil and criminal district and superior court matters must be postponed unless they are absolutely essential for constitutional or public safety reasons,” Chief Justice Cheri Beasley said in a memo.

This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 8:03 AM.