Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on July 2
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
New cases, hospitalizations remain high
At least 68,142 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 1,391 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday reported an additional 1,629 cases of the virus, down from 1,843 the day before.
Wednesday’s total had been the all-time high since the start of the pandemic, surpassing the state’s previous record of 1,768 set on June 12.
At least 912 North Carolinians were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Thursday, nearing the record of 915 hospitalizations reported June 23.
On Thursday, the percentage of positive tests was 9%. Health officials have said that number needs to get closer to 5%.
No juveniles test positive at detention centers
No juveniles in North Carolina’s detention centers have tested positive for the coronavirus, the state Department of Public Safety reported Thursday.
North Carolina operates four youth development centers and seven juvenile detention centers. About 96 were tested in juvenile detention centers, and about 152 were tested in the youth development centers. Youths were only tested if they agreed to it.
The testing was conducted at juvenile facilities in mid-June after state officials recommended testing at all congregate living facilities.
In May, four staff members across different facilities tested positive.
“We are thankful that to this point, no child in one of North Carolina’s state-operated juvenile justice facilities has been infected with the coronavirus,” William Lassiter, deputy secretary for Juvenile Justice, said in a press release Thursday. “These results are good, but we will not relax our efforts to protect the health and safety of our staff and the juveniles in our care.”
State fails to hit benchmarks
Dr. Mandy Cohen, N.C. DHHS secretary, said during a news conference Thursday that the state is continuing to fail to hit benchmarks that measure the spread of COVID-19.
State officials use four metrics to monitor the spread of the coronavirus: hospitalizations, the number of new lab-confirmed cases, the percentage of positive tests and the number of people with COVID-like symptoms at hospital emergency departments.
She said North Carolina isn’t seeing progress in any of them.
“We are not in dire straits like some (states) around us,” she said. “We have reason to be concerned, though. This isn’t where I’d hoped we’d be for July Fourth weekend.”
Cohen also said North Carolina is seeking federal help with a testing supply shortage that’s causing delays in receiving results. The shortage of reagents, the chemicals used to run lab tests, means labs can take between five and six days to report test results.
“The health systems could run more tests if they had more reagents,” Cohen said. “We can’t solve that problem from the state level. Federal help and action is needed to address these supply issues right now.
Governor vetoes reopening bills
Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday vetoed three more bills passed by the state legislature that attempted to lift coronavirus-related restrictions.
The bills would have reopened gyms, fitness centers, skating rinks, bowling alleys, amusement parks and entertainment venues — all of which have been required to stay closed under Cooper’s executive orders.
He also vetoed House Bill 686, “Freedom to Celebrate the Fourth of July,” which would have allowed parades and firework shows to violate Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan and Senate Bill 105, “Clarify Emergency Powers,” which would have required agreement from the rest of the Council of State for some orders.
Fewer wait for unemployment
The backlog of unmet unemployment claims in North Carolina is shrinking.
The Division of Employment Security says over 1.1 million North Carolinians applied for unemployment benefits between March 15 and June 30. More than 765,000 of those have received benefits and 4% of claims, or 45,000, are still pending. More than 230,000 were considered ineligible for benefits.
In mid-April, 630,000 claims had been filed and 211,672 had received their benefits.
The unemployment office was inundated with claims as shutdowns related to the coronavirus pandemic put many out of work.
The shrinking backlog is partly due to less people filing for benefits. From March 15 to April 23, DES received about 18,000 claims a day. In June, it averaged 12,264 daily claims.
Hospitals relax restrictions
The Triangle’s three biggest health care systems, Duke, WakeMed and UNC, recently relaxed visitor restrictions.
Non-coronavirus patients can now have one designated visitor who is at least 18 years old. They must be screened and must wear a mask when in the building. Coronavirus patients are still not allowed to have visitors except for “end-of-life” situations.
The relaxing of restrictions comes as the virus is more prevalent in North Carolina than when they started and as hospitals are busier than ever. But hospitals say they’re more confident now in their supplies, such as PPE, and in their ability to prevent the spread of the virus.
School reopening options
School districts in the Raleigh and Charlotte areas have discussed possible ways to operate in the fall.
In the Wake County school system, officials recommend reopening with a weekly rotation schedule that starts in August.
Campuses would be at one-third capacity, with students transitioning from in-person to at-home learning. The proposal will go to the school board for a vote.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg district staff on Wednesday presented options that “range from a complete return to school to operating at 50% capacity to a fully remote education,” The Charlotte Observer reported.
The next steps would depend on an announcement from Gov. Roy Cooper, who has said a reopening decision would come in “the next couple of weeks.”
Most say coronavirus rules weren’t too strict
A majority of North Carolina residents say the state’s coronavirus rules weren’t too strict, according to a new poll.
“In total, 33% of residents polled found the state’s restrictions to be ‘about right,’ while 46% felt they should be more restrictive,” The News & Observer reported Thursday.
And 21% of respondents thought North Carolina’s coronavirus-related rules were too tight, according to results from the Elon University poll.
The poll was conducted in partnership with The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer and The Herald-Sun.
NC counties reach coronavirus ‘tipping point’
Four North Carolina counties are at a “tipping point” for COVID-19, a map from Harvard University shows.
Duplin, Montgomery, Samspon, and Stanly counties all have at least 25 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people, which means there’s a need for stay-at-home orders.
Duplin and Sampson counties, east of Fayetteville, are home to hog producing operations as well as outbreaks at care facilities.
Montgomery County, east of Charlotte, has reported an outbreak at a nursing home.
In neighboring Stanly County, dozens of coronavirus cases have been linked to Albemarle Correctional Institution. Three care facilities are listed on the weekly report of outbreaks.
Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte, joins several Triangle-area counties at the second-highest risk level. Chatham, Durham, Orange, Johnston and Wake are among the places that have 10 to 24 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people each day, data show.
Cooper urges precautions during Fourth of July
Gov. Roy Cooper on Wednesday warned the spread of the coronavirus could intensify over Fourth of July weekend 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.”
He also reminded residents of his recent face mask mandate and emphasized the importance of social distancing and frequent hand-washing.
The governor extended Phase Two of North Carolina’s reopening plan last week, which keeps some businesses, including bars and gyms, closed and continues to limit gatherings to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
Legislators potentially exposed to virus
A lobbyist who was in contact with as many as five General Assembly members tested positive for COVID-19.
All lawmakers who met with the lobbyist, whose name hasn’t been released, have been notified. House Minority Leader Darren Jackson told The News & Observer that at least one Democratic member of the House went to get tested and will be in quarantine until results come back.
House Speaker Tim Moore told The N&O all legislators who may have been exposed were tested and were negative. However it’s unclear if that count includes the House Democrat, who Jackson said hasn’t received results.
Moore said none of the lawmakers have shown symptoms.
This is the second time a person who was in the Legislative Building has tested positive for COVID-19.
After a cafeteria worker tested positive, temperature checks were required for anyone entering the building. 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 cut, suspended
American Airlines has cut more international flights out of Charlotte due to decreased demand during the coronavirus pandemic, the company announced Wednesday.
The airline, which is the dominant carrier for Charlotte Douglas International Airport, has suspended flights to London Heathrow and Munich International Airport until winter. Flights to Frankfurt Airport have also been suspended until summer 2021.
Additionally, American Airlines discontinued flights from Charlotte to Barcelona, Rome and Paris, saying the routes were once-popular leisure destinations that will likely see a decrease in demand.
Previously, the airline delayed flights from Charlotte to Frankfurt until October and flights to London and Munich until August.
The airline also suspended flights from the Raleigh-Durham International Airport to London Heathrow until winter.
The European Union said this week it is not allowing travelers from the United States.
Residents divided on reopening schools
North Carolinians are divided on how the state should reopen schools in the upcoming academic year, a poll found.
None of the options — returning to school full time, online instruction only, or a mix — received majority support in the poll by Elon University in partnership with The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer and The Herald Sun. But 38% favored sending students to school part time, 34% favored a full-time return to school, and 29% favored remote work.
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.”
Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday a decision on reopening schools will come in “the next couple of weeks.” All North Carolina schools closed and moved to remote instruction in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 6:57 AM.
