Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on May 24

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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 reported 497 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus Sunday, a drop from the 1,107 reported Saturday — the first time the daily count of new cases topped 1,000 in the state.

Health officials attribute Saturday’s spike in cases to a drastic increase in testing, with an all-time high of 26,378 daily tests completed.

State officials say a total of 336,656 tests were completed as of Sunday, about 6.9% of which have come back positive.

At least23,364 people in the state have tested positive, and 784 have died as of Sunday afternoon, according to state and county health departments.

Mecklenburg County continues to lead in deaths, with 73, followed by 52 in Guilford County, the state reports.

Drop in testing

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 7,074 completed coronavirus tests between Saturday and Sunday, a drop from the record 26,378 tests reported the day before.

The drop in testing translated to a drop in reported positive cases of the virus.

Sunday’s increase in cases was the second-smallest over the last week, The News & Observer reports.

As testing has ramped up in North Carolina, the number of cases reported has increased by more than 25% over the last seven days. Daily cases have topped 500 five times since May 17.

The percentage of overall tests that come back positive has been “gradually declining.”

Charlotte reaches new high

Mecklenburg County hit its highest daily number of new cases Saturday with 188 new infections. The previous highest daily count was 119 cases.

The county, which is home to Charlotte, has had 3,142 cases of the disease caused by the new coronavirus, according to state data.

Of the 73 deaths reported in Mecklenburg County, nearly half were connected to long-term care centers or nursing homes.

Barbershops reopen to crowds

Phase Two of North Carolina’s reopening started late Friday and included letting people back into barbershops and salons with precautions. Barbers reported crowds of people with out-of-control hair.

The pandemic has infamously forced many people to either cut their own hair, or let inexperienced family members give it a try with mixed results.

“People are looking scary,” Right Cut Barbershop owner Jesse Padillo told the News & Observer. “This (one) kid had so much hair, it normally takes me 20 minutes to cut, and today it took me 45.”

Sanitizer stations on streets

One North Carolina coastal town has installed COVID-19 hand sanitizer stations along its downtown sidewalks like water fountains and bike racks.

Southport, 30 miles south of Wilmington, announced the move in a Saturday Facebook post, as tens of thousands of visitors were flocking to the coast for the Memorial Day weekend.

Mayor Joseph Hatem did not reveal a cost of the project, but said it was aimed at stopping the spread of the virus among visitors and citizens.

Gym owners disappointed

Gov. Roy Cooper decided not to reopen gyms and other indoor exercise facilities — such as yoga studios, dance studios and rock climbing facilities — as part of easing his restrictions Friday.

Many gym owners had expected to be part of Phase Two and prepared to open with new precautions, The News & Observer reported. Now some are pushing for a change in policy.

At least one, in Wilson and Rocky Mount, said it planned to reopen regardless of the regulations, according to The Wilson Times. And by Saturday, a Facebook group with more than 5,000 members posted that it had retained an attorney, The News & Observer reported.

The governor’s executive order also excludes museums, amusement parks, bars and night clubs from opening. Cooper said they have a greater risk for the spread of COVID-19.

Youth sports to resume

Some youth and high school sports programs will soon resume in North Carolina as part of the state’s Phase Two of reopening, at least in sports known for a lack of contact.

Gov. Roy Cooper and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen released a set of recommendations for non-contact sports such as baseball, swimming, tennis, track and golf. All can resume under the recommendations so long as certain guidelines are followed, the state says.

The officials are recommending against resuming contact sports such as football, competitive cheer, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, wrestling, rugby and hockey. However, the state says players can still do “conditioning drills and practices” for the upcoming season, as long as “dummy players, sleds, punching bags and similar equipment are used but athletes are not playing the actual sport.”

This story was originally published May 24, 2020 at 7:30 AM.