NC’s coronavirus cases exceed 1,000; Gov. Cooper’s stay-at-home order begins Monday
North Carolina’s coronavirus total passed 1,000 on Saturday, with cases reported in 71 counties. Wake County reported 11 new confirmed cases, bringing its total to 134.
The state’s Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday reported a total of 935 confirmed coronavirus cases in North Carolina, the fifth straight day of triple-digit increases. Of those, 87 people are hospitalized.
The News & Observer is keeping a real-time count of additional cases announced by counties updated throughout the day. The N&O now has the number of cases at 1,044. At least one case of coronavirus has been reported in 71 of the state’s 100 counties.
Northampton County reported 20 new cases on Saturday, bringing its total to 25. All but one of the cases are connected to an unnamed facility, the county health department reported. None of the new cases have any symptoms.
Gov. Roy Cooper issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state Friday, attempting to curb the outbreak by limiting crowds and requiring social distance of 6 feet. Grocery stores, hardware stores and essential businesses can remain open; but public gatherings are limited to 10 people and most activities involving multiple people have been prohibited.
The order goes into effect at 5 p.m. Monday. See the list of what’s allowed here.
“Times are tough right now,” Cooper tweeted Saturday. “But if we all do our part, we’ll get through this together.”
Cooper told reporters on Friday that the number of cases continues to increase rapidly.
“We do not have the luxury of time,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, on Friday.
“Our best weapon is social distancing. What we do today can save lives in the weeks and months to come,” Cohen said.
Cooper said the order doesn’t go into effect until Monday because he wants to give people time to get ready, and for businesses that are required to close to do so.
The statewide stay-at-home order lasts until April 29.
Cooper said Friday that though the statewide order and local orders are similar, if a city or county’s order is more restrictive, the more restrictive part applies. He said that law enforcement will remind people to comply with the order, but if people continue to “flagrantly” violate the order, police and district attorneys have the discretion under the law to charge and prosecute them.
On Saturday, Durham County announced its stay-at-home order would start at 5 p.m. Sunday and last until April 30. The city previously issued its own order. Durham County Commissioners Chair Wendy Jacobs said in a news release that the county’s order is “largely an extension” of the city’s order that started Thursday evening. It includes the Research Triangle Park area of the county, as well.
No new cases were reported in Durham Saturday.
State officials closed many parks on Friday, concerned that crowds would help spread the virus. Raleigh’s popular William B. Umstead Park is now off limits, as is Eno River in Durham and Raven Rock in Harnett County. On social media sites around the Triangle, many people noted that hikers were not keeping to the required 6-foot social distancing guideline.
In Wake County, the average age for people reported with the virus is 45. Of that total, 53.2 percent are female. Cases have been reported in people from age 10 to over 85 years old.
On Friday, health officials announced two more deaths from complications of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, bringing the total to five.
As of Friday evening, the state had completed 17,527 tests for the virus. The number of cases is likely higher than this because it takes time for people to get tested, and for results to be compiled and confirmed statewide.
The state on Saturday reported 774 of its 3,223 intensive care beds are empty; and 6,539 openings among its 17,447 inpatient beds. The number reflects available beds that currently are able to be staffed. However, about 20% of hospitals in the state have not reported their figures to DHHS.
In Wake County, Commissioner Matt Calabria announced he will hold a virtual town hall meeting at 4 p.m. Sunday along with state Rep. Sydney Batch, a Raleigh Democrat. Register at bit.ly/waketownhall.
Meanwhile, the Make-A-Wish Foundation reported delayed travel plans for critically ill children it serves.
Nationwide, Make-A-Wish said 970 children had travel plans immediately postponed. In Charlotte — along with all of Central and Western North Carolina — 49 kids now must wait.
This article is being updated throughout the day.
This story was originally published March 28, 2020 at 10:17 AM.
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