Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on May 20
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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
At least 20,511 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 728 have died as of Wednesday afternoon, according to state and county health departments.
On Wednesday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported an additional 422 cases, down from 677 reported the day before.
Tuesday’s spike in cases came as state officials say they are meeting their testing goals. The state completed a total of 277,603 coronavirus tests as of Wednesday.
At least 554 North Carolinians were hospitalized with COVID-19 Wednesday, compared to 585 on Tuesday.
Health officials estimate 11,637 people in North Carolina have recovered from the virus.
State to enter modified Phase Two
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday that North Carolina can move into a “modest” Phase Two of reopening this week.
The stay-at-home order will be lifted Friday at 5 p.m., but the phase differs from the original plan.
Restaurants will be allowed to offer dine-in services, which have been banned since mid-March, with limited capacities, and personal care businesses, such as hair salons, will be allowed to reopen at reduced capacities. Swimming pools can also reopen at 50% capacity.
However, gyms, bars, nightclubs, public playgrounds and indoor entertainment facilities will remain closed. Originally these businesses would have been permitted to open under Phase Two.
Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 people and indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people.
Those who are more vulnerable or at a higher risk are still encouraged to stay home, and everyone should wear face masks and practice social distancing when in public.
Cooper’s decision and executive order come as the state is meeting three out of four trend benchmarks.
North Carolina will stay in Phase Two for at least four to six weeks before moving into Phase Three, which will relax more restrictions.
Plans vary for UNC schools
UNC System schools have varied plans to welcome students back to campus for the fall semester.
Some plan to end the semester before Thanksgiving, while others won’t start until after Labor Day. Some are waiting for system-wide guidance before deciding how to move forward.
“We are optimistic, leaning in and expecting our students, faculty and staff to return to classrooms, labs and libraries this fall,” Interim UNC System President Bill Roper said during a virtual Board of Governors meeting Wednesday, according to The News & Observer.
The system’s 17 schools will determine their own changes and protocols with guidance from the system. Roper said he has virtually met with leaders from the schools to discuss plans.
Coronavirus ‘hot spots’
Parts of North Carolina have seen recent spikes in COVID-19 cases as the state plans to move into a modified version of Phase Two of its reopening plan this week.
Case counts have “risen sharply” over the past two weeks in Duplin, Forsyth, Guilford and Wayne counties, The News & Observer reported Wednesday. Some of those counties have had outbreaks at prisons or meat-packing plants, contributing to the totals.
Nursing home cases
More coronavirus-related deaths were linked to a nursing home in Pittsboro, state officials said Tuesday.
Twenty-one residents of The Laurels of Chatham have died after getting the virus, including 12 who died in the past week. The facility has the highest number of deaths reported at any nursing home in the state, The News & Observer reported.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has reported more than 2,500 coronavirus cases and 350 deaths tied to nursing homes.
Entertainment venues discuss reopening plans
A group of North Carolina entertainment venues is discussing ways to safely reopen following months of closures and cancellations of events amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The NC Live Coalition, which includes representatives from venues in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Greensboro and Charlotte, are considering measures such as cashless payments, staggered entrances for audiences and disinfection, according to a statement released Tuesday.
Members are also considering ways to maintain social distancing at some events.
Some venues are also considering streaming performances, though there are issues with doing so.
However, indoor entertainment venues will not be allowed to reopen under Phase Two of North Carolina’s reopening plan, which will start Friday afternoon.
Help for immigrants requested
Faith leaders in North Carolina have have asked Congress to help immigrants detained in Georgia.
The advocacy group North Carolina Council of Churches sent a letter Tuesday to state congressional members requesting that the Department of Homeland Security investigate how immigrants in the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia are being treated.
It was sent on behalf of families in North Carolina who have relatives detained at the facility.
The letter cites a Monday story from The News & Observer, which reported detainees at the center said they were not safe from the coronavirus there.
It also asks that Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the company that runs the facility provide weekly updates on actions related to those detained — including information on how many are vulnerable and what measures it has in place to protect them.
This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 7:02 AM.
