Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on July 20
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We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases exceed 100,000
At least 101,046 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 1,642 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday reported an additional 1,268 cases of the virus, down from 1,820 on Sunday. The two totals were lower than the record 2,481 on Saturday.
The health department on Sunday reported completing more than 29,000 new COVID-19 tests for a total of more than 1.4 million. About 7% of tests were positive on Monday.
In the state, officials say more than 78,000 have recovered from COVID-19.
Hospitalizations remain above 1,000
At least 1,086 North Carolinians were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, down from 1,115 on Sunday, according to state data.
Both totals were down from the record high of 1,180 daily hospitalizations set Friday.
Monday marked the 13th consecutive day hospitalizations topped 1,000.
Raleigh bans late-night alcohol sales
Late-night alcohol sales will be banned in Raleigh starting Wednesday in an effort to slow COVID-19 spread.
From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., bars, restaurants and grocery stores will not be able to sell alcohol, per an order signed Monday by Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin.
Another Triangle area, Orange County, issued a similar order earlier this month, and one is expected soon in the Charlotte area.
Proponents of the restrictions say they will deter overcrowding in bars and businesses and will reduce potential exposure to the virus as drinking alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions.
Sports on for this fall at private schools
The N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association plans to hold high school sports this fall.
All sports except football will be allowed to start practices Aug. 10 and start playing the week of Aug. 31 provided North Carolina is in Phase Three of its reopening plan. Football games cannot start until Sept. 4 and a practice start day has not been set.
Public schools in North Carolina won’t start practice until Sept. 1.
Some road tests waived
The N.C. Division of motor vehicles will temporarily waive the road test requirement for more new drivers seeking a license.
The new policy will take effect Wednesday and will last until the DMV can again perform road tests, which stopped being offered in March due to COVID-19.
Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill last month allowing teens ages 16 and 17 to get a Level 2 provisional license without a road test, but it did not apply to drivers age 18 or older.
Now the DMV says it’s found a way to waive the requirement for most drivers seeking their first license in North Carolina. Drivers must meet certain requirements to qualify.
Longer waits for COVID-19 test results
North Carolina is among the states where COVID-19 test results are delayed.
In July, the average wait time was getting close to six or seven days, according to Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. That’s up from about two or three days in June.
In some parts of the country, there’s a higher demand for tests as coronavirus cases rise, The Charlotte Observer reported. The situation has overwhelmed labs and led to a shortage in testing supplies.
Gibbie Harris, Mecklenburg County public health director, last week said the delays could impact contact tracing. The efforts are used to help determine who may have been in contact with an infected person, McClatchy News reported
Potential budget cuts in UNC system
The UNC Board of Governors instructed chancellors of the 17 UNC system campuses to plan on cutting their budgets by as much as 50% for the fall semester due to COVID-19.
In an email last week, Board Chairman Randall Ramsey also asked the chancellors to report on the impact of closing campuses and canceling fall sports, saying the plans should be “very specific and include details of which programs will be shuttered, which positions will be furloughed, laid off or eliminated entirely and all other details of how a 25% to 50% spending reduction will be handled.”
Board Vice Chairperson Wendy Murphy told The News & Observer the email was “just planning.” The system plans to open campuses in the fall with a mix of in-person and virtual instruction.
Some districts opt for remote learning
Some school districts across North Carolina are planning to hold classes virtually during the upcoming semester due to COVID-19.
At least 13 districts and 12 charter schools as of Saturday had decided to use remote instruction starting in August and until the coronavirus spread slows in North Carolina. That number is expected to grow as teachers and some parents express concern over the safety of in-person instruction.
The five largest school districts in the state — Wake County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Guilford County, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and Cumberland County — either plan to open with online classes or are considering doing so.
In Wake County, more than 40% of students were signed up for the Virtual Academy program as of Monday. The portion is beyond the total district officials had expected, The News & Observer reported.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 6:35 AM.
