Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on May 8
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
At least 14,007 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Friday evening, and 530 have died, according to state and county health departments.
On Friday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 471 new cases of the virus, down from 639 the day before.
Thursday’s daily case total was the highest the state reported in one day during the pandemic and came after an increase in testing was announced Wednesday.
Officials say 8% of the 178,613 COVID-19 tests administered in the state have been positive.
At least 515 North Carolinians were hospitalized with the virus on Friday, compared to 525 reported the day before. The rolling seven-day average of daily hospitalizations in the state was 509 as of Friday.
Testing is a priority
Gov. Roy Cooper said testing will be a priority for the state as it moves into phase 1 of reopening.
According to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen, “anyone who needs a test should be getting tested right now,” The News & Observer reported.
Limited supply previously restricted the number of people able to get tested, “but that’s no longer the case,” according to the N&O.
Still, North Carolina is testing a smaller percentage than other states.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, which analyzed data through May 7 from The COVID Tracking Project, North Carolina is 43rd in the U.S. in tests per 1,000 residents, The N&O reported.
Coronavirus poll
Most North Carolina residents think the coronavirus poses a “major threat to the economy,” a High Point University poll finds.
Less than one-quarter of North Carolinians think the federal government’s response to the spread of COVID-19 is “excellent,” McClatchy News reported Friday. Local and state officials, community members and media outlets received even fewer “excellent” ratings.
The results were collected April 16 to May 1, before Gov. Roy Cooper outlined when the state would start to lift coronavirus-related restrictions.
In the poll, 60% of people approved and 40% disapproved of the way Cooper was doing his job. The numbers were lower for Trump, who had a 44% approval rating, while 46% disapproved, McClatchy News reported.
Wake school graduation
Wake County’s school district will hold graduations online for more than 11,000 high school seniors.
The events, which had been set to take place at the Raleigh Convention Center, likely can’t go on in person due to coronavirus-related concerns.
The top plan under consideration involves virtual ceremonies in June, followed by later events if “health conditions allow,” The News & Observer reported.
Children test positive
A 6-month-old baby and two other children tested positive for COVID-19 in Robeson County, health officials say.
The county, which is south of Fayetteville and on the South Carolina border, has reported 354 total cases of the virus among people of all ages, The News & Observer reported.
Across North Carolina, patients ages 17 or younger make up 3% of all coronavirus cases.
State starts to reopen
The first phase of Gov. Roy Cooper’s three-part plan to reopen North Carolina begins at 5 p.m. Friday.
Under Phase 1, the stay-at-home order will be modified to allow more businesses to reopen and people to take some nonessential trips. Residents must adhere to social distancing guidelines, and anyone who can work from home is encouraged to continue doing so.
In the Charlotte area, Mecklenburg Health Director Gibbie Harris warned it will not be “business as usual.”
“This should not be seen as an opportunity to go back to business as usual — to hang out at the mall, to walk around, to stroll, and to shop,” Harris said Thursday afternoon during a news conference.
In the Triangle, some shopping centers plan to reopen with limited hours and increased sanitation efforts. Raleigh’s Crabtree Valley Mall plans to welcome customers back on Monday, and The Streets at Southpoint in Durham is set to reopen Tuesday, though stores inside the centers may have different reopening timelines.
For a complete list of what does — and doesn’t — change, go here.
Whitewater Center reopening
The U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte is reopening with limited activities on Saturday.
Mountain biking, flat water kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and whitewater kayaking will be available, and trails will be open.
“All locations and activities will have very limited capacities and guests must adhere to social distancing requirements at all times,” the center says.
Nursing home cases
There are at least 83 coronavirus outbreaks at nursing homes and residential care facilities in North Carolina, and 250 people have died.
Here’s how Mecklenburg and the surrounding counties have been affected.
Retailers plan to reopen
Charlotte-based Belk will open more of its department stores in North Carolina as the state starts to roll back restrictions.
All 291 of its stores in 16 states were closed in March because of the coronavirus. The 64 North Carolina stores will open again on Monday, The Charlotte Observer reported.
For a list of more retailers reopening and when, including Kohl’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Best Buy, go here.
Nurse featured in PBS documentary on COVID-19
Allison Adams, a North Carolina native and Raleigh-based critical care transport nurse, sent her son to live with her parents in March when the pandemic hit. Her husband is a paramedic, and the pair felt he’d be safer with them.
Adams is one of three people featured in a new PBS “American Portrait” special called “In This Together,” which airs at 9 p.m. Friday.
This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 6:53 AM.
