Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on May 30
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Highest-ever daily case count
At least 27,793 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 929 have died as of Saturday afternoon, according to state and county health departments.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday reported an additional 1,185 cases of the virus, up from 1,076 reported the day before and the highest daily total reported during the pandemic.
The latest daily case count exceeds the state’s previous record of 1,107 daily cases, which was reported on May 23.
North Carolina is averaging 707 daily cases of the virus over the last seven days as of Saturday.
Officials have said an increase in COVID-19 testing could help explain recent case surges. The state as of Saturday is averaging about 10,700 tests over the past seven days.
Cooper issues eviction ban
Gov. Roy Cooper extended a statewide order to protect people statewide from evictions and utility shut-offs, The Charlotte Observer reported.
The order goes into effect on Saturday and includes a three-week moratorium on evictions, the governor’s office said.
The utility protections last for 60 days.
“North Carolinians need relief to help make ends meet during the pandemic,” Cooper said in a statement. “Extending housing and utility protections will mean more people can stay in their homes and stay safe as we all work to slow the spread of this virus.”
Women file most unemployment claims
Women, who make up 37% of North Carolina’s workforce, are disproportionately experiencing job losses as coronavirus spreads. In March and April, women filed 58% of state unemployment claims, according to state data.
“All but two counties in North Carolina — McDowell and Ashe, both in the western part of the state — reported more women applying for unemployment than men,” The Charlotte Observer reported on Saturday.
Women constitute the majority of workers in the leisure and hospitality sector, which has experienced a blow during the coronavirus outbreak. They also hold most jobs in education and health, another hard-hit industry, The Observer reported.
ReopenNC cancels future protests
The organizers of ReopenNC have canceled future protests in downtown Raleigh as they implement a “strategy shift.”
According to co-founder Ashley Smith, the group will move into “Stage 2” on June 1 by focusing on helping small businesses fight local officials. “Stage 1” was concentrated on getting the word out about their objections to restrictions on business and activities during the pandemic.
“We have accomplished so much in two short months,” Smith said.
Hospitalizations drop from high
At least 638 North Carolina patients were in a hospital with COVID-19 on Saturday, down from 680 reported the day before. DHHS on Saturday said 88% of hospitals reported their data.
The new count came the same week as two record-setting days of hospitalizations, with 702 reported Wednesday and 708 reported Thursday.
As of Saturday, the state’s seven-day hospitalization average was 652.
Tax credit bill filed
A bill filed in North Carolina this week calls for giving tax credits to parents whose children don’t attend public schools. The proposal would give eligible families as much as $2,500 for each student who goes to a private school and as much as $500 for children who are homeschooled.
Some state lawmakers say the proposed legislation provides families financial relief during the coronavirus pandemic. But a critic says it diverts money from public schools, The News & Observer reported.
RNC outlines preliminary safety measures
North Carolina health officials on Friday asked Republican National Convention leaders for more details about expected crowd size and social distancing measures at the upcoming event.
President Donald Trump and Gov. Roy Cooper discussed the convention in a phone call Friday, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“When the President insisted on a full convention arena with no face coverings and no social distancing the Governor expressed concerns and suggested a scaled back event with fewer attendees,” Cooper spokeswoman Sadie Weiner told The Charlotte Observer. “They agreed to continue talking about ways to have a safe convention in Charlotte.”
The GOP convention is scheduled to be held in Charlotte from Aug. 24-27, and Cooper said health experts in his administration have been talking for months with organizers on how to run it safely.
On Monday, President Donald Trump threatened to move the convention from North Carolina if Cooper did not immediately give an answer on whether full attendance would be allowed.
“We’re not on any timeline here. We want to work with them. We look forward to them submitting plans to us,” the governor said. “We have yet to see them.”
Organizers of the convention asked Cooper, Democrat, to approve some preliminary safety measures, such as daily online health questionnaires, thermal scans of mandatory attendees and pre-arranged health checks.
The information was in a letter, which the governor’s office on Thursday night said didn’t amount to an official plan.
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 8:07 AM.
