Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on April 14
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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 5,000
North Carolina has at least 5,108 reported cases of the coronavirus as of Tuesday afternoon, and 112 people have died, according to state and county health departments.
At least 418 North Carolinians were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Tuesday morning, up from 313 the day before, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
All but seven of the state’s 100 counties have reported at least one case of the coronavirus.
Mecklenburg County has the most, with 993 cases and 15 deaths.
In the Triangle, more than 1,000 cases have been reported between Wake, Durham, Orange and Johnston counties. Four deaths have been reported in Johnston, two in Orange and one in Durham County.
Protest calls for NC to reopen
Protesters gathered in Raleigh on Tuesday to rally against N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order. A Facebook group called Reopen NC organized the event and wants residents to make their own decisions about going out in public as COVID-19 spreads.
Cooper said Monday that the state’s restrictions are working and that a “wholesale lifting” of the order would be “catastrophic” for North Carolina.
He has not said if he plans to extend the statewide stay-at-home order, which is in effect until April 29, but said the next couple weeks will determine what orders and restrictions are needed in May.
Aid for airports
North Carolina airports will receive $284 million in aid from the federal government.
A total of 72 airports in the state will get assistance to curb the revenue loss caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport will get the most, more than $135.5 million. Raleigh-Durham International Airport will receive $49.6 million.
Aid for bars and restaurants
Restaurants and bars in the Charlotte area will get some economic relief from sales lost due to coronavirus closures.
The Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board approved a buy-back program Tuesday. The program will start Wednesday and will allow restaurants and bars to return unused liquor bottles until May 14.
Up to $1 million has been set aside for refunds.
Mobile testing announced
Atrium Health and Novant Health, two hospital systems with a presence in the Charlotte area, are starting mobile testing programs for COVID-19 this week. The medical providers say the efforts are designed to expand testing for minority groups.
Though black people make up one-third of the population in Mecklenburg County, half of coronavirus patients were black.
Coronavirus relief approved
Charlotte residents could get help with housing and utility payments after the city council on Monday voted 9-2 to approve spending some money from a federal aid package. The $5.7 million comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, designed to help people stay afloat during the pandemic.
Inmates released early
Some inmates are starting to be released early from North Carolina prisons in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, officials said Monday.
About 500 inmates are being considered for early release. None of them have been convicted of a violent crime and all are scheduled to be released this year.
Those that will be released early are either more vulnerable, on home leave with a release date in 2020 or those on work release with a release in 2020.
They will continue to be supervised, often with electronic monitoring.
Antibody tests
A North Carolina hospital system will perform antibody tests on 1,000 patients.
Wake Forest Baptist Health will conduct a year-long random sample of its patients to try to find out how widespread the virus is in the state.
The at-home tests involve pricking the patient’s finger. The test then looks for antibodies in the blood, with a positive test meaning the person was previously exposed to the virus.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 7:13 AM.
