Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on April 23
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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 7,700
North Carolina has at least 7,786 reported cases of the coronavirus as of Thursday morning, and 278 people have died, according to state and county health departments.
State officials reported an additional 388 cases on Thursday, up from 269 the day before.
At least 486 North Carolinians were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Thursday morning, compared to 434 on Wednesday, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Mecklenburg County has the highest numbers in the state, with 1,377 reported cases and 37 deaths.
Wake County has 633 cases and 11 deaths and Durham County has 469 cases and seven deaths.
Stay-at-home order extended
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday afternoon he is extending the stay-at-home order through May 8.
The order was set to expire on April 29 and keeps nonessential business closed and bans gatherings of 10 or more people in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“It is clear that we are flattening the curve,” Cooper said in news conference. “But our state is not ready to lift restrictions yet. We need more time to slow the spread of the virus before we can ease the social restrictions.”
The governor announced criteria the state must meet before it can start a three-phase process of gradually relaxing restrictions.
To move from one phase to another, there needs to be a two-week decrease in the percentage of positive tests and the number of coronavirus-like cases identified via surveillance, and a “decrease or sustained-leveling” of confirmed cases and hospitalizations.
Officials said Thursday the only criteria North Carolina has met is seeing a downward trajectory is cases discovered via surveillance.
The announcement comes after hundreds of people gathered in downtown Raleigh on Tuesday to call for the governor to reopen businesses.
The governor said he will make an announcement Friday on plans for North Carolina public schools, which are closed through May 15 at this point.
Changes to student grading
Public schools in North Carolina will change how they grade students since coronavirus has kept schools closed.
The State Board of Education on Thursday approved a new policy that won’t allow students in grades K-11 to get a failing grade for the Spring semester.
Students should be promoted to the next grade unless plans to retain them were “well underway” on March 13.
Unemployment filings
North Carolinians without jobs can start applying Friday for unemployment benefits from the federal government, The News & Observer reported.
After someone submits an application on the N.C. Division of Employment Security website, officials will determine if the person is eligible for jobless benefits. It’s still unclear how long it could take for people to receive money.
Across the state, restaurants, movie theaters and other businesses have been ordered to close or adjust their services to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Bakker requests cash
Jim Bakker, a televangelist with ties to the Charlotte area, said his ministry could face bankruptcy if his viewers don’t send in cash or checks. Bakker said people can’t use credit cards to make donations after he was accused of selling a bogus cure for the coronavirus.
He served prison time after a fraud conviction in 1989, McClatchy News reported.
Outer Banks loosen restrictions
Starting Thursday, some visitors are allowed back to parts of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
People who own property in Currituck County but don’t live there can arrive starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, as long as they have permits. But visitors won’t be allowed until May 15.
Non-resident property owners will also be allowed back in Dare County, home to most of the Outer Banks, in phases starting May 4, but it’s unclear when other visitors will be permitted.
Both counties previously closed to visitors in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Nursing home outbreak
Three people at Universal Healthcare Lillington, a nursing home in Harnett County, have tested positive for the coronavirus, county health officials said Wednesday.
There are 39 nursing homes and 14 residential care facilities in North Carolina with ongoing outbreaks, the state health department says.
More than 1,260 coronavirus cases and 109 deaths have been reported among nursing homes and residential care facilities.
Cases at county jail
Six Durham County Sheriff’s Office employees who work at the county jail have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Wednesday.
Officials didn’t say if any of the workers came into contact with inmates, but no inmates have tested positive.
The infected workers are isolated at their homes.
The news came the same day state officials reported an inmate at Pender Correctional Institution, a state prison, died after being infected with COVID-19.
There have been more than 650 cases and and five deaths at correctional facilities in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Drone deliveries
Drones will soon be used to deliver supplies in the Raleigh and Charlotte areas during the coronavirus pandemic, North Carolina transportation officials said Wednesday.
In Charlotte, Novant Health will deliver PPE and other medical supplies across its campuses.
In Raleigh and Garner, WakeMed will use a drone to deliver supplies between its campuses. In Holly Springs, a drone will be used to deliver food to neighborhoods.
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 6:51 AM.
