Wake County reported 26 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, according to the county’s website. That brings the county’s total to 180.

The statewide stay-at-home order by Gov. Roy Cooper began at 5 p.m. Monday. Essential businesses will remain open, and people can still go out for food and groceries, health care and exercise as long as they maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing.

Wake County reported 14 new cases on Sunday, according to the county’s website.

Durham County had four new cases on Sunday, bringing its total to 107, with no additional cases reported on that county’s website as of 6 p.m. Monday.

The average age of Wake County COVID-19 cases is 46. The most cases are in people 45 to 54 years old, but only slightly leading the 35 to 44 age range. There are two cases younger than 18 and three cases older than 85.

A Monday morning update from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said more than 1,300 people have tested positive for the illness, which is caused by the new coronavirus, while more than 20,000 people have been tested. The state reported Monday that 37 patients are currently hospitalized with the virus.

This story will be updated as Wake County reports new cases Tuesday.

This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 8:43 AM.

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan

The News & Observer

919-829-4877

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan is the Capitol Bureau Chief for The News & Observer, leading coverage of the legislative and executive branches in North Carolina with a focus on the governor, General Assembly leadership and state budget. She has received the McClatchy President’s Award, N.C. Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award and several North Carolina Press Association awards, including for politics and investigative reporting.