Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on June 17
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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.
Cases top 46,000
At least 46,933 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 1,181 have died, according to state and county health departments.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday reported an additional 1,002 cases of the virus, up from 751 reported the day before. On Wednesday, North Carolina was averaging about 1,200 daily cases over the last seven days.
Health officials on Wednesday reported completing about 16,000 new coronavirus tests, for a total of 667,422. Roughly 9% of tests have come back positive.
The percent positive rate cannot be calculated by simply dividing the number of cases by the number of completed tests, mainly due to the timing of when tests are administered and when and how test results are submitted to the state from labs.
Hospitalizations rise again
Daily hospitalizations reached a new high again on Wednesday.
At least 849 North Carolinians were in the hospital with COVID-19, according to Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The state on Wednesday reported 846 hospitalizations.
Wednesday’s total broke the previous record of 829, which was set the day before.
Less than one-fourth of hospital beds and intensive care unit beds are available in North Carolina, health officials said Wednesday, with 86% of hospitals reporting data.
Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday the state is monitoring hospital bed availability. While there are enough beds now, that could quickly change, he said.
Help for small businesses
Small businesses in uptown Charlotte will be able to apply for up to a $40,000 grant for support during the pandemic.
The Center City Small Business Innovation Fund was announced Wednesday and was created through a partnership among Honeywell, Charlotte Center City Partners and Foundation For the Carolinas. It’s launching with a $2 million investment and will prioritize businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans.
The money is intended to be used by businesses for innovation and to “stay competitive and advance in this new environment,” Charlotte Central City Partners CEO Michael Smith told the Charlotte Observer. It’s not meant to be used for purposes like payroll or rent.
Businesses across the state have struggled to stay afloat in the wake of shutdowns and restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Some have shut their doors permanently while others have had to drastically change their operations or let go of workers.
Applications for the grant will open July 26 to small businesses in a 2-mile radius of Trade and Tryon Streets.
Few restaurants reveal coronavirus cases
North Carolina does not have guidelines for what a restaurant should do if a worker tests positive.
Sharon May, owner of the popular Raleigh restaurant Relish, told The News & Observer on Wednesday the decision to close the restaurant completely for two weeks and post the news on Facebook after a worker tested positive for the coronavirus was a lonely one.
There are few if any other restaurants reporting cases.
Since the start of Phase Two on May 22, restaurants have been allowed to reopen their dining rooms with social distancing and safety rules and capacity limits. But guidelines for reopening point to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the case of a worker testing positive.
It’s recommended that restaurants report cases to local health officials, but North Carolina does not require that restaurants do so or close in the case of a positive test.
Outbreaks at care facilities
Two more residential care facilities in Charlotte reported coronavirus outbreaks Tuesday.
The outbreaks at Starnes Group Home and Brookdale Charlotte East bring the total number of active outbreaks at congregate living facilities in Mecklenburg County to 21.
In Wake County, three nursing homes have reported outbreaks since last week: UNC Rex Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center of Raleigh, Windsor Point Continuing Care Retirement Community in Fuquay-Varina and PruittHealth-Raleigh.
One-fourth of nursing homes in North Carolina have a current outbreak, The News & Observer reported. More than 1,100 cases and 98 deaths have been reported.
Face mask requirements
Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin on Wednesday signed an emergency proclamation that requires residents to wear a face covering that goes over the nose and mouth when “in contact with other people who are not household members in public or private spaces where it is not possible to maintain social distance or where recommended social distancing practices are not being followed.”
The Raleigh City Council voted Tuesday to give the mayor authority to require the use of face masks.
The rule will only apply to Raleigh, not all of Wake County. Other mayors in the county reportedly don’t agree on mandating the use of face coverings.
The rule will require masks in grocery stores, businesses, parking lots, sidewalks, pharmacies and other places. Social distancing is still encouraged even when wearing a mask.
“All restaurant, personal care, grooming, tattoo and retail employees and staff shall wear a face covering while on duty,” the proclamation says.
Durham and Orange counties already require the use of masks. Those not wearing masks in these counties won’t be arrested or cited. Raleigh plans to follow suit and enforce the rule through education, Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said, according to The News & Observer.
In Charlotte, Mecklenburg County commissioners also pushed for a face mask mandate on Tuesday. They asked for an official recommendation from county health officials by next week.
Gov. Roy Cooper said during a Monday news conference that he is considering if the state should mandate the use of face coverings.
Legislation would allow more businesses to reopen
A bill that would allow bowling alleys and skating rinks to reopen passed the N.C. House on Tuesday by a vote of 68-52 mostly along partisan lines.
This marks the third effort from Republican lawmakers to introduce bills allowing businesses to reopen before the governor and the state’s top health official give the OK.
Cooper, a Democrat, vetoed the first bill that would have reopened bars for outdoor seating. Cooper has not yet signed or vetoed a bill that would allow gyms and bars to reopen.
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 7:07 AM.
