Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 26
Click here for the March 27 updates.
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 700
North Carolina has at least 716 reported cases of coronavirus as of Thursday afternoon, according to the state and county health departments.
Mecklenburg County has the highest number of cases in the state, with 204. Wake County has 100 and Durham County has 93.
Wake County reported an additional 14 cases Thursday afternoon. Durham reported nine.
More than half of North Carolina’s 100 counties have now reported at least one case, and more than 12,900 tests for the virus had been completed in the state.
Health officials said the number of positive test results isn’t a good indicator of how many people are infected. As the virus becomes more widespread, the difference between case counts and “the actual disease” increases.
Third death reported
A coronavirus-related death was reported in North Carolina on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to three.
The patient was a Harnett County resident in their late 30s with underlying medical conditions, officials said.
The state reported its first coronavirus-related deaths on Wednesday. A Cabarrus County resident in his late 70s with underlying medical conditions died Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper said. A Virginia resident in their 60s traveling in North Carolina also died.
GOP convention postponed
The North Carolina Republican party’s state convention, which was supposed to start in Greenville on May 14 will now start June 4, officials said Thursday.
The party already announced it would hold its county and congressional district conventions virtually due to the pandemic. The state’s Democratic party is doing the same.
Unemployment claims soar
North Carolina saw 200,000 new unemployment claims between March 16 and March 26.
That’s a year’s worth of job losses in a week and a half.
The first wave of jobless claims began after the governor ordered bars and restaurants to close their dine-in areas. A second wave came when he ordered additional businesses to close, including gyms, salons and theaters.
Changes to schools
North Carolina’s public schools could start in early August following their closure for at least two months amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The State Board of Education shared recommendations on Thursday, including school calendars and pay, that it might ask lawmakers to change this year. No decisions have been made yet.
NC facility holds treatment trials
Grifols, a biotechnology company, said it will start clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment at its Clayton facility.
The trials will involve processing the plasma of recovering coronavirus patients into a hyperimmune globulin. They’ll then determine if that can be used to treat COVID-19.
Staffer at prison in NC tests positive
A staff member at the Federal Correctional Complex at Butner has tested positive for coronavirus, the Federal Bureau of Prisons said on Thursday.
No inmates at the facility have tested positive for the virus.
People with mild symptoms asked to stay home
North Carolina health officials on Thursday urged people showing mild symptoms of the coronavirus not to leave their homes.
The guidance comes as the state faces limited testing and a shortage of health care supplies.
Hospitals to reuse masks
Duke Health says it will reuse masks worn to treat patients with COVID-19. The hospital system says it has found a way to decontaminate the masks, which it will use while there is a shortage.
Stay-at-home orders
Several communities in North Carolina have announced stay-at-home orders, which restrict people from leaving their property except to go to grocery stores, pharmacies or medical appointments, or to conduct other “essential” business.
A stay-at-home order went into effect at 8 a.m. Thursday in Mecklenburg County through April 16.
Similar restrictions will go into place in the city of Durham at 6 p.m. Thursday and in Orange County at 6 p.m. Friday. The orders will be in effect until April 30.
Wake County announced a stay-at-home order Thursday that will go into effect at 5 p.m Friday and last until April 17. The county’s 12 municipalities all joined the order, which means the restrictions will apply to the entire county.
Chatham County plans to put in place an order soon.
Doctors push for more restrictions
Doctors and physician assistants in North Carolina joined the state’s hospitals in urging the governor to put more restrictions in place to further limit unnecessary contact between people.
The N.C. Medical Society on Wednesday called on the governor to stop the public’s access to non-essential businesses for two weeks.
On Monday, the state’s hospital association urged him to order residents to stay home.
So far the governor has stopped short of putting statewide stay-at-home orders in place but has banned gatherings of more than 50 and required some businesses to close.
Trump approves disaster declaration for NC
President Donald Trump on Wednesday approved North Carolina’s request for a disaster declaration, opening up funding to state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures.
Also at the national level, the U.S. Senate voted to approve a $2.2 trillion package to provide aid to businesses and people experiencing impacts from the coronavirus pandemic.
Harris Teeter hiring thousands
Harris Teeter, a North Carolina-based grocery chain, said it is hiring more than 5,000 workers at stores and distribution centers for full- and part-time work.
Additional workers are needed as demand for food and household products remains high, the company said.
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This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 7:14 AM.
