Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 18
Click here for the March 19 live updates.
We’re keeping track of the latest news about coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More reported cases
North Carolina has at least 92 coronavirus cases as of Wednesday evening.
Lincoln County, near Charlotte, and Hoke County, near Fayetteville, reported their first cases this week.
In Western North Carolina, Buncombe County announced its first case Monday, saying the patient was under isolation in Macon County. Also in the region, an additional case was reported in Watauga County.
New Hanover County, in Eastern North Carolina, and Moore and Union counties each announced their first positive case Wednesday.
Wake County reported five additional cases of coronavirus Wednesday evening, bringing the county total to 22, The News & Observer reported.
Eleven additional cases were reported in Durham County, all of which were connected to Duke University.
Mecklenburg County reported three additional cases. Neighboring Iredell County reported a second case Wednesday afternoon.
Unemployment benefits
N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper said he is lifting some restrictions on unemployment benefits to help workers facing reduced hours or layoffs due to the coronavirus.
The waiting period to apply for benefits has been lifted, and you don’t have to be actively looking for a job to apply.
The move comes as Cooper ordered restaurants and bars to close.
“I know that many employers will want to hire their employees back when this pandemic subsides,” Cooper said.
The state started allowing people to list COVID-19 as a reason for unemployment at noon Tuesday, The News & Observer reports.
Between then and 7 a.m. Wednesday, 4,721 filed for unemployment with the virus listed as the reason
Coronavirus tests
More than 1,100 coronavirus tests have been processed in North Carolina and thousands more samples are being tested, health officials say.
Meanwhile, researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have developed a COVID-19 test that’s now being used by UNC Health facilities. The new test doesn’t rely on supplies from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
DMV offices closed
Sixty-one driver’s license offices in North Carolina are closing, the state Division of Motor Vehicles said Tuesday. Those remaining open will offer appointments only.
Driving tests, except those for commercial driver’s licenses and medical reassessments, will not be offered.
School closures
Community colleges in North Carolina will stop holding in-person classes, likely for the remainder of the spring semester.
Wake County public school officials said Tuesday it’s possible schools won’t return to normal until “well beyond March 30.”
Currently, all public K-12 schools in North Carolina are closed until at least March 27.
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? The News & Observer will get the answers for you. Go to bit.ly/virusnc and let us know what you need to know.
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 7:01 AM.
