Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on April 30
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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.
Reported cases and deaths
North Carolina has at least 10,746 reported cases of the coronavirus as of Thursday afternoon, and 405 people have died, according to state and county health departments.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 561 new cases of the virus Wednesday, up from 380 the day before and the highest daily case total reported in the state. North Carolina was averaging 414 new daily cases over the last seven day as of Thursday afternoon.
The state reported completing about 9,600 new COVID-19 tests as of Thursday, for a total of 128,036 overall. Of those, 8% have come back positive.
At least 546 North Carolinians were in the hospital with COVID-19 Thursday, just shy of the record 551 hospitalizations reported the day before.
As of Thursday afternoon, the state was averaging 488 hospitalizations a day over the last seven days.
Only two counties have not reported a case of the virus, and at least one death has been reported in 60 of the counties across the state.
Cooper hopeful about restrictions
Gov. Roy Cooper said Thursday he’s “hopeful” the state will be able to ease some of the restrictions in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The governor’s statewide stay-at-home order is set to expire May 8, and North Carolina could then start to move into the first of three phases to gradually relax restrictions.
“We remain hopeful that the trends will be stable enough to move us into phase one next week,” Cooper said at a news conference on Thursday.
ZIP code data
North Carolina counties are starting to release more information about where coronavirus cases are reported.
At least 10 counties have now released data that show how many cases are reported in each ZIP code within the county, The News & Observer reported Thursday.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services only gives the number of cases in each county but is working to release ZIP code data.
Bills passed
The North Carolina House of Representatives on Thursday passed the Pandemic Response Act, a $1.7 billion coronavirus response act.
The state Senate also passed a bill, the $1.36 billion COVID-19 Response Act.
The bills determine how North Carolina will spend federal funding received and negotiations will come next, The News & Observer reports.
School task force
State Superintendent Mark Johnson on Thursday said a new Schools Reopening Task Force has been created.
The group will help to make decisions about the future of the state’s public schools. The K-12 buildings are shut down through the end of the school year to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Plasma donors sought
North Carolina medical centers are using plasma from coronavirus survivors to help treat patients, The News & Observer reported. In the Triangle, participating hospital systems include Duke Health, UNC Health and WakeMed.
After people get COVID-19, their plasma has antibodies that have the potential to help others who have the disease.
Now, officials are seeking plasma donors to help out hospitals. More information about requirements can be found here.
Meat-processing plants
At least 13 meat-processing plants in North Carolina have seen coronavirus outbreaks, The News & Observer reports.
Now advocates say President Donald Trump must do more to protect workers after issuing an executive order this week to keep plants open during the pandemic.
N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said Wednesday he hopes meat-processing plants will receive more personal protective equipment, or PPE.
Drug trials show positive results
A coronavirus treatment drug tested in labs at UNC-Chapel Hill showed positive results in clinical trials, the university announced Wednesday.
Remdesivir, which is given through an IV, helped COVID-19 patients participating in a study recover an average of four days faster.
The results were also shared at a White House briefing Wednesday, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the coronavirus task force, said there was also a “trend toward fewer deaths.”
Medicaid expansion debate
Coronavirus concerns have renewed the debate over Medicaid expansion in the North Carolina legislature.
The state House of Representatives is considering limited expansion that would only apply to coronavirus patients, and Speaker of the House Tim Moore, a Republican, is supportive of the proposal.
Medicaid expansion has been contentious and was a main issue behind this year’s state budget stalemate between the Republic-led General Assembly and Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat.
Mass layoffs
Since the coronavirus hit North Carolina, at least 180 businesses have reported shutdowns or mass layoffs, and more than 13,000 workers have lost their jobs, The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday.
Some of the largest layoffs were at Enterprise Holdings, airline cater company HMSHost and The Cheesecake Factory. About 40% of layoffs are temporary.
Between March 15 and April 27, more than 875,000 North Carolinians filed for unemployment.
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 6:46 AM.
