Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on July 1
Click here for updates for July 2.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases reach daily high
At least 66,513 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 1,373 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday reported an additional 1,843 confirmed cases of the virus, the highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic.
Wednesday’s total was up from the 1,186 cases reported Tuesday.
At least 901 North Carolinians were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Wednesday, down from 908 the day before. The figures neared the record of 915 daily hospitalizations reported June 23.
Health officials on Wednesday reported completing an additional 17,660 coronavirus tests, for a total of 942,238. The percentage of positive tests on Tuesday was 10%. That number ideally should be closer to 5%, health officials have said.
Fourth of July could intensify spread
Gov. Roy Cooper warned Wednesday that the Fourth of July weekend could intensify the spread of the coronavirus in North Carolina if people don’t take precautions.
“As we go into the holiday weekend, we must keep our guard up,” Cooper said during a news conference. “I know we want to gather with family and friends, but we have to remember that a large gathering, especially without masks and social distancing, is one of the most likely places for COVID-19 to spread.”
The governor reminded residents of the state’s face mask mandate and emphasized the importance of following advice from health officials to wear a face covering, stay six feet away from others and wash your hands often.
Lobbyist tests positive
A lobbyist who was in contact with as many as five General Assembly members tested positive for COVID-19.
All lawmakers who the lobbyist met with have been notified, and at least one Democratic member of the House went to get tested due to the exposure and will quarantine until test results come back.
House Speaker Tim Moore told The News & Observer that no legislators have had symptoms or tested positive.
This is the second time a person who was in the Legislative Building has tested positive.
After a cafeteria worker tested positive after being in the building, temperature checks were required for anyone entering. But the practice was suspended the week of June 15 after Legislative Services Officer Paul Coble said no cases of elevated temperatures were reported in six weeks.
It was resumed, however, after several lawmakers expressed concerns.
More flights out of Charlotte cut
American Airlines announced Wednesday it has cut more international flights out of Charlotte due to decreased demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
The airline is the dominant carrier for Charlotte Douglas International Airport and has suspended flights to London Heathrow and Munich International Airport until the winter. Flights to Frankfurt Airport have also been suspended until summer 2021.
Additionally, the airline discontinued routes from Charlotte to Barcelona, Rome and Paris as it says theses routes were once popular leisure destinations but will likely see decreased demand.
American Airlines also suspended flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to London Heathrow until this winter.
Residents divided about school options
North Carolinians are split about how to reopen schools this fall, a new poll finds.
Though there was no majority, 38% favored sending students to school part time. A full-time return to school drew 34% of support, and completely remote work drew 29% in the Elon University poll.
Jason Husser, poll director, said it’s unusual to see that type of divide in the results.
“It’s a testament to how complex and difficult and uncertain the decision will be,” he said. “The story of COVID-19 has been a story of uncertainty.”
The poll was “done in partnership with The News & Observer, Charlotte Observer and Herald-Sun.”
In North Carolina, public school buildings have been closed since March to help reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
Duke announces fall plans
Duke University has mass testing for the coronavirus in its plan for the fall semester.
Students who live on campus will have to be tested before they can go to classes. Some students will be housed in hotels or apartment buildings, The News & Observer reported.
Duke said it will offer courses online and in spaces that have been rearranged to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The school has also said student athletes can return to campus in waves that start July 12.
Duke previously announced the next academic year would start early, running from Aug. 17 to Thanksgiving to reduce travel risks.
Outbreak at Fort Bragg
A coronavirus outbreak was reported among a survival training class at Fort Bragg, officials announced Tuesday.
Out of 110 soldiers taking part in the 19-day class, 82 students and eight instructors have tested positive. All were tested and most did not show symptoms. None have required hospitalizations.
The soldiers were training at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, where there are around 2,400 students at any given time who are regularly screened.
Nursing home residents, staff to be tested
All nursing home residents and workers in North Carolina will be tested for the coronavirus, state health officials said Tuesday.
The number of coronavirus cases continues to increase across North Carolina, and long-term care facilities have been hit especially hard. Nursing homes account for about half of the state’s total coronavirus deaths.
The state had already recommended nursing homes with at least one case of COVID-19 test all residents and employees. But now universal testing will take place in July and August at all of North Carolina’s more than 400 nursing homes, Dr. Mandy Cohen, N.C. DHHS secretary, said during a news conference.
North Carolina has more than 36,000 nursing home residents and and more than 25,000 employees.
“Testing will enable our skilled nursing facilities to identify positive cases earlier and better determine additional infection prevention and control measures necessary to contain spread,” Dr. Susan Kansagra, chief of chronic disease and injury for the N.C. DHHS, said in a news release Tuesday.
Some health experts have said repeat testing is also necessary to stop the spread of the virus, The News & Observer reports.
Charlotte-area care facilities report outbreaks
Four additional residential care facilities in the Charlotte area reported outbreaks of COVID-19.
Olde Knox Commons in Huntersville, and Hunter Woods Nursing Home and Rehab, Enoch Group Home and Leaves Group Home, all in Charlotte, have reported new outbreaks since Friday — bringing the total to 24 congregate living facilities in Mecklenburg County with ongoing outbreaks.
Congregate living facilities include nursing homes, rehab centers, senior living facilities, group homes and the Mecklenburg County Detention Center.
Statewide, 123 nursing homes and 67 residential care facilities have ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks as of Tuesday, according to state data. At nursing homes, 4,440 cases and 660 deaths have been reported. At residential care facilities, 1,241 cases and 114 deaths have been reported.
GOP leaders push for schools to reopen
Gov. Roy Cooper is weighing three plans public schools might use in the upcoming academic year: minimal social distancing, moderate social distancing or remote learning only.
Cooper said he would have a press conference at 3 p.m. Wednesday but would not include a schools announcement.
Republican leaders in the state on Tuesday pushed for North Carolina schools to reopen for in-person instruction Aug. 17, citing advice from the country’s top pediatric group. The American Academy of Pediatrics said Tuesday it “strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.”
The push comes as schools in North Carolina are determining how to safely reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced them to close and move to remote instruction in mid-March.
Schools can choose to implement a more-restrictive plan than what Cooper, a Democrat, decides, but not a less-restrictive one.
Bill seeks to provide relief to meat-packing plants
State legislators passed a bill that would provide financial help to meat-packing plants in North Carolina, which have been hit especially hard with coronavirus outbreaks.
The bill includes “$10 million in grants for small to medium-sized meat processing plants and livestock producers,” The News & Observer reported Tuesday.
It stops short, however, of including safety requirements, as a proposed amendment calling for more worker protections did not receive enough support.
More than 2,000 processing plant employees in North Carolina have been infected with COVID-19.
The legislation is now up to Gov. Cooper.
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 6:52 AM.
