Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on April 8
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We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 3,500
North Carolina has at least 3,569 reported cases of coronavirus as of Wednesday evening, and 63 people have died, according to state and county health departments.
At least one case of the virus has been reported in 92 of the state’s 100 counties.
Health officials say the actual number of people in North Carolina with COVID-19 is likely higher, as some counties choose not to test everyone who is sick.
Nearly one-fourth of the state’s reported cases — 848 — are in Mecklenburg County, which has seen 10 deaths.
The Triangle has more than 700 reported cases in Wake, Durham, Orange and Johnston counties.
At least 386 people in the state were hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday morning, and nearly 43,000 people had been tested, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services says.
Cases by age
In North Carolina, more than 40% of coronavirus patients are 25 to 49 years old. That age group has the highest portion of cases, with people ages 65 or older accounting for 20% of cases, according to state and county officials.
But 80% of the state’s coronavirus deaths have been reported in patients older than 65. Older people and those with underlying conditions may have a higher risk of getting seriously sick after getting the disease, according to health officials.
Outbreak at nursing homes
At least 60 people at a nursing and rehabilitation center in Orange County have tested positive for coronavirus, and two have died, Gov. Roy Cooper said in a news conference Wednesday. Seven are in the hospital.
Officials confirmed with The News & Observer that the outbreak was reported at PruittHealth-Carolina Point.
More than 30 people at Pinehurst Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center tested positive for the virus, Moore County health officials said Wednesday.
The county tested all 96 residents and 115 staff members after a person linked to the facility tested positive last weekend. Of those, 26 residents and five staff members tested positive.
All nursing home staff members in North Carolina will now be required to wear masks, and facilities must close communal areas and screen staff members daily, officials said Wednesday.
Last month the governor banned visitors at all long-term care facilities.
Antibody test
The Food and Drug Administration gave a North Carolina-based company emergency-use authorization for its coronavirus antibody test.
Cellex’s test is the first to get such approval in the U.S., the tech news site The Verge reported. It uses blood samples to determine if a person’s blood has developed antibodies to fight against the coronavirus.
The test would show if the person has had coronavirus and developed immunity.
Housing help
N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper on Wednesday said the state will use hotels, dorms and other housing sites for some residents possibly exposed to the coronavirus or at high risk of getting seriously sick from the disease.
North Carolina officials expect to provide more than 16,500 places to stay for residents who don’t have stable housing, a news release from Cooper’s office said.
FEMA approved the request and will pay 75% of the costs to provide shelter. The state is responsible for the remaining costs.
Relief for businesses
Mecklenburg County officials on Tuesday night approved loan programs designed to help small businesses in the Charlotte area.
The county will provide low-interest loans for businesses with up to 50 workers. Loans from the relief packages are for utilities, rent and other expenses during the coronavirus outbreak.
Plans for new executive orders
Gov. Roy Cooper said in a news conference Tuesday that he will issue new executive orders this week, including one to limit the number of people allowed in stores at once.
The governor said the statewide stay-at-home order is working, but he doesn’t know when it will be lifted.
He also discouraged Easter and Passover gatherings.
Unemployment claims
North Carolina is set to pass 500,000 unemployment claims by the end of the week, with an average of 21,000 people filing claims every day in recent weeks.
Nearly $30 million in unemployment benefits have been approved for North Carolinians put out of work by the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials are also working to fix problems that have been reported while filing a claim.
DMV deadlines
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles has asked state lawmakers to extend deadlines for driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agency says it’s been swamped with complaints that changes haven’t been made to the requirements despite the statewide stay-at-home order.
The DMV has already adjusted operations at its driver’s license offices — closing 61 of them and operating the other 57 by appointment only.
Help with child care
Financial aid will be available for essential workers in North Carolina who are in need of child care, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday.
The Emergency Child Care Subsidy Program will also give bonuses to some child care workers and will be offered at least through May.
Fewer beds requested for field hospital
Novant Health and Atrium Health are still asking Mecklenburg County to build a field hospital, but the number of proposed beds has been reduced.
The health care companies say they need a 600-bed field hospital in uptown Charlotte, instead of the 3,000 beds they had requested previously at the UNC Charlotte campus.
Novant and Atrium have worked to increase capacity at their hospitals, health officials said.
‘Lost Colony’ production canceled for first time since WWII
The Roanoke Island Historical Association on Tuesday announced plans to cancel its 83rd season of “The Lost Colony” because of the coronavirus.
The outdoor play, which is one of the nation’s longest-running theater productions, focuses on the disappearance of more than 100 settlers on Roanoke Island, N.C., in the 1500s.
This is the first time the production season has been canceled since 1944, during World War II, according to the historical association.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 7:03 AM.
