Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on July 30
Click here for updates for July 31.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
New daily cases near record high
At least 120,194 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 1,903 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday reported an additional 2,344 cases of the virus, up from 1,763 the day before. The total is near the record 2,481 cases reported July 18.
Officials on Thursday also reported 38 additional deaths. That’s down from 45 deaths reported Wednesday — the largest daily increase since the start of the pandemic.
More than 1.7 million tests for COVID-19 have been completed in North Carolina. About 8% of all tests were positive, the health department reported Thursday.
North Carolina is among states in the White House coronavirus task force’s “red zone” because it added more than 100 cases per 100,000 people between July 18-24. But the state’s positive test rate is in the “yellow zone” as it falls between 5% and 10%.
Hospitalizations break record again
At least 1,239 North Carolinians were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 on Thursday, a drop after two consecutive record highs.
The single-day total was down from 1,291 hospitalizations reported Wednesday and 1,244 reported Tuesday.
Reported hospitalizations haven’t dropped below 1,000 since July 4.
Pandemic shifts storm preparations
Tropical Storm Isaias is headed to the North Carolina coast early next week, but preparations will look different due to the pandemic.
The storm is expected to become a hurricane Friday or Friday night and could make landfall in North Carolina on Monday, forecasters said in the most recent update.
State leaders have warned coastal residents to move inland and, if possible, avoid shelters. Mike Sprayberry, the state director of emergency management, told The News & Observer coastal North Carolinians should find an inland hotel or stay with loved ones away from the coast.
Those who do need to go to a shelter should visit a state reception center, where they will be directed to a non-congregate shelter, Sprayberry said. Officials will screen those at the shelters and help them social distance.
The state is also looking for young volunteers to staff shelters. Those interested an at least 18 can apply at redcross.org/volunteer.
CMS cancels in-person orientation
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has reversed its plan to begin the upcoming school year with an in-person, socially distant orientation for students.
It will now open with full remote instruction in the fall.
The change follows concern from teachers and other school employees who were worried about exposing students and their families during the orientation.
The school system now joins dozens of other districts in the state — including Wake County — opening under a fully remote plan. The majority of the state’s K-12 students will not start the year with in-person instruction.
NC officials say elections won’t be delayed
President Donald Trump in a tweet Thursday brought up delaying general elections, but North Carolina officials have dismissed the idea.
“With Universal Mail-In voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE and FRAUDULENT Election in history,” the president tweeted. “It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???”
Several states have postponed their primary elections due to COVID-19. But presidents don’t have the power to delay the presidential election.
Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, said the election “will happen in November, period” and that “we got to make sure that we have the resources.”
“Across North Carolina, election officials have worked for many months to ensure accessible, safe and accurate elections in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” the N.C. State Board of Elections said in a statement Thursday.
The board also included reasons “why absentee by-mail voting is safe and secure in North Carolina.”
Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted that the country has held elections through other crises and this year won’t be different.
“North Carolinians will choose their leaders safely and securely on November 3rd and rally together to defeat this pandemic,” he tweeted.
Water won’t be cut off in NC county
Robeson County reversed a decision to shut off water for people who haven’t paid their utility bills.
In March, a statewide order allowed North Carolinians — many of whom lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic — to temporarily stop paying their utility bills.
But on Saturday, Robeson County officials posted on the county’s Facebook page that residents were required to pay their entire past-due balance in water bills by Thursday or have their water disconnected.
The post wasn’t in compliance with Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order, which requires municipalities to offer residents a six-month repayment plan for their past-due utility bills, the N.C. Attorney General’s office said this week.
Coronavirus cluster linked to swimming center
A swimming complex in Charlotte is closed after five of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.
The Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center will shut its doors until Aug. 17, The Charlotte Observer reported. During the closure, officials say they will clean and disinfect the complex.
The county made the announcement Thursday, days after County Manager Dena Diorio said four coronavirus cases had been linked to the aquatic center.
Officials say “no patrons were likely exposed to the virus.”
Poll workers hard to find during pandemic
The coronavirus is making it difficult for North Carolina election officials to find people to work the polls in November.
Some poll workers are expected to stay home due to the pandemic, and Board of Election leaders want more people to help amid social distancing and disinfecting equipment, The NC Watchdog Reporting Network reported Thursday.
The State Board of Elections in a memo said North Carolina poll workers are roughly 70 years old on average, an age group at risk for getting seriously sick from the coronavirus.
Several county election leaders have changed their recruitment techniques, raised pay and formed partnerships to help find poll workers.
Raleigh Christmas Parade to go virtual
The Raleigh Christmas Parade will be held without spectators this year due to COVID-19.
Shop Local Raleigh and ABC11 on Thursday announced the Nov. 21 event will be streamed live on the TV station’s website and other platforms.
This year will be the first time that the parade has gone online since it started in 1944.
“The event has drawn more than 65,000 people from across the state and is considered the largest holiday parade between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta,” The News & Observer reported.
State receives federal aid for K-12 students
North Carolina will receive more than $17.6 million in federal funds to help K-12 students during the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s one of 11 states to get the funds, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced Wednesday while visiting North Carolina. The money is from the Rethink K-12 Education Models Grant program and is for creating new ways for students to learn. The grant was announced in April and any state could apply.
The grant will fund “Light the Way” in North Carolina, a three-year initiative that will combine remote and in-person learning. It will aim to help student achievement during disruptions to school, prepare teachers for digital-age instructions and help schools and communities prepare for events, such as pandemics, that interrupt learning.
It will mostly focus on 45 of North Carolina’s most rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
COVID-19 cases at NC colleges, universities
More than 250 coronavirus cases have been reported at North Carolina colleges and universities, according to a New York Times survey.
Cases have been reported at 14 schools, all of which plan to bring students back to campus for classes in the fall.
The New York Times survey included every public, four-year university in the country and every private college that participates in Division I sports or is an elite research university.
Appalachian State University in Boone had the most cases among North Carolina schools, with 94, which also puts it among the top schools nationally. UNC-Chapel Hill reported 37 cases, all among student athletes, coaches and staff. UNC-Wilmington on the coast reported 33 cases, and East Carolina University in Greenville reported 30.
Some schools say they plan to contact trace but won’t necessarily publicly announce if someone in a class or dorm tests positive for the virus.
State Fair canceled
The North Carolina State Fair is canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
State Agriculture Secretary Steve Troxler made the announcement Wednesday, weeks after officials said they would put a stop to the Mountain State Fair.
The fair is held in the fall and in 2019 had more than 1 million attendees, The News & Observer reported. This is the first time since World War II it’s been canceled.
Some of the fair’s most popular food items will be offered at drive-thru events that started earlier this summer.
The fair will also still hold the Junior Livestock Shows Oct. 15-25, and State Fair Horse Shows, also in October.
Emergency release requested for inmates
Emergency court filings aim to get inmates released as COVID-19 cases hit the Mecklenburg County jail.
Two of the people in custody have serious health issues, and one is pregnant, according to court filings.
Officials on Monday reported 48 active coronavirus cases in the jail. Six weeks ago, there were two cases, The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday.
This story was originally published July 30, 2020 at 6:59 AM.
