Coronavirus

Face masks will be required in Durham when getting groceries or taking public transit

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If you live in Durham, you will soon be required to wear a mask in public and private spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, including grocery stores, pharmacies and public transit.

Durham County and the City of Durham announced the amendments to their joint stay-at-home order Friday night. The mask requirement goes into effect Monday at midnight.

The updated order also includes new rules for farmers markets that address hand-washing stations and other operations, and showings for real estate sales and rentals.

The updates come as the state has reported more than 6,000 cases of COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus.

Durham County reports 399 cases and four deaths, according to a news release.

Durham’s order says face coverings can include homemade or factory-made masks as well as scarves, T-shirts or towels. People should still maintain social distancing when possible, the release says.

The order says those without face coverings won’t be removed or denied entry to public transit.

“It’s very important that everyone wears a mask, or some sort of facial covering, when out in public, but especially in places where social distancing is difficult,” said Durham Mayor Steve Schewel in a news release. “While it doesn’t take the place of social distancing, wearing facial covering certainly plays a big part in reducing the spread of the virus.”

Earlier this week, Wake County extended its stay-at-home order through April 30 and changed guidelines for retail businesses and faith organizations, The News & Observer reported. The modified order lets any business remain open if it can provide delivery or curbside pickup options. But masks must be provided to customers and employees, and those employees must work 6 feet from each other. Customers will not be allowed to enter the storefront of any non-essential business

Wake County reported 574 cases Friday. The first case in the state was diagnosed March 2 in Wake County.

In the Triangle, Orange and Franklin counties also reported coronavirus-related deaths Friday.

Here is a look at Triangle counties, as of Friday evening.

Durham County

Durham’s amended order also aims to provide guidance for farmers market vendors and includes rules for setting up tents and hand washing stations, operations and displaying food.

The order has provisions for real estate agents and people buying and selling homes with rules for showing homes. Realtors in Durham no longer will be able to hold open houses for units that are occupied. There are also other rules to guide in-person showings for sales and rentals.

The rules for farmers markets and real estate are effective Friday, April 17, at 5 p.m.

Durham County reported 399 cases, up by 11. The state’s Department of Health and Human Services reports two additional deaths, bringing the county’s total to four.

There have been outbreaks at three Durham long-term care facilities. The biggest so far has been at the Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where the county reported 82 cases Friday night. The county first reported 15 cases there Monday.

The Durham Veteran Affairs Healthcare System Community Nursing Home has four. Treyburn Rehabilitation Center reports 11.

Wearing a homemade mask, Regina DeLacy transfers groceries from the cart to the car at Food Lion on Saturday, Apr. 18, 2020, in Durham, N.C. Durham County and City of Durham updated their stay-at-home order Friday evening to include new requirements to wear masks in public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, such as the grocery store, starting Monday at midnight.
Wearing a homemade mask, Regina DeLacy transfers groceries from the cart to the car at Food Lion on Saturday, Apr. 18, 2020, in Durham, N.C. Durham County and City of Durham updated their stay-at-home order Friday evening to include new requirements to wear masks in public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, such as the grocery store, starting Monday at midnight. Casey Toth ctoth@newsobserver.com

Orange County

There have been at least 175 coronavirus cases in Orange County. Three people have died due to complications related to the virus, according to the county.

There are two outbreaks at long-term care facilities, including one at PruittHealth - Carolina Point. There, at least 86 people at the facility have tested positive for COVID-19, including 66 residents. A spokesperson for Orange County told the News & Observer last week that four residents at the facility have died from the virus.

Johnston County

There are two new cases in Johnston County, eight of which came from Springbrook Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. The county’s confirmed case count is now at 115.

Forty-three current and former Springbrook residents have tested positive for the virus. Seven have died. All of the people who have died are over 65 years old, according to the county.

A 13th Springbrook staff member who lives in Johnston County tested positive Friday. Seven who live outside the county have tested positive for the virus too.

Johnston County Correctional Institute also reports three inmates and three staff members have tested positive for the virus.

This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 7:59 PM.

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