Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Sept. 2
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We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 170,000
At least 170,553 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 2,779 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday reported 1,129 new COVID-19 cases, a drop from the 2,111 reported on Tuesday — the highest reported since July 30.
Officials said they corrected an error that showed more than 1,100 cases that shouldn’t have been included on Saturday, making the daily total 1,699 instead of 2,585 as the health department originally reported.
The health department also reported 38 additional deaths Wednesday.
On Monday, the latest date available, 7.6% of COVID-19 tests were positive. State health officials have said that percentage should be 5% or lower.
At least 858 people in North Carolina were reportedly hospitalized with COVID-19 on Tuesday, health officials said Wednesday, down from 946 the day before
Hospitalizations on Tuesday were the lowest they’ve been in North Carolina since June 21, when 845 were reportedly hospitalized.
The health department on Tuesday released a spreadsheet showing new daily case counts were off by up to 229 cases every day from Aug. 7 to Aug. 28. Four days in August had triple-digit undercounts.
Relief bill includes check for parents
The North Carolina Senate on Wednesday passed a nearly $1 billion bill to spend the rest of the state’s federal CARES Act money.
The Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 currently includes $335 stimulus checks to North Carolina families with children under age 18 to offset the costs of remote learning during the pandemic. It wouldcost about $440 million of the $903 million lawmakers must spend by Dec. 30.
The “extra credit grants” would go to parents who filed taxes. Those who didn’t would be able to apply for the grant. The payments would go out by Dec. 15.
The bill includes raising income-eligibility caps for opportunity scholarships, which are private school vouchers. The proposed spending also includes $72 million in PPE funding, $10 million toward internet connectivity and $6 million for food banks.
The bill passed 44-5 in the Senate, with five Democrats voting against it. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill Thursday.
More deaths reported at Wake nursing home
Two residents of a Wake County nursing home with a coronavirus outbreak have died since last week.
Eighty-nine people are infected and 14 residents have died at Tower Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, according to the state.
In Wake County, 15 nursing homes have ongoing outbreaks. An outbreak is two or more positive cases in a congregate care facility.
The Wake County Detention Center also reported 26 cases of the virus Tuesday, up from five Aug. 25.
Statewide, health officials report 190 outbreaks at nursing homes and 103 at residential care facilities.
More TSA agents in Charlotte test positive
Another nine Transportation Security Administration workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last month.
A total of 33 TSA employees at the airport have tested positive, 27 of whom interacted with passengers at screening stations. The most recent case reported is an employee who worked at the B and C checkpoints for eight hours on Aug. 25. The person then reported testing positive Aug. 28.
Nationally, 1,796 TSA employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and six have died.
Cases drop at UNC, N.C. State
UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University reported sharp declines in COVID-19 cases Wednesday as students leave residence halls.
Additionally, neither school has reported a new cluster in almost a week. A cluster is defined as five or more cases in close proximity.
More than 2,500 students remain on campus between the two schools, but most undergraduates left their dorms after the schools announced they were closing them as classes moved online.
Students leaving campus has left many concerned about the increased risk of COVID-19 spread as they move to new locations.
“All students that are members of campuses with widespread transmission should quarantine for 14 days — whether they staying on campus, in off campus housing, or moving back home to prevent the spread,” N.C. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Catie Armstrong said in a statement.
Meanwhile, nearby Duke University so far hasn’t reported a spike in coronavirus cases. Mass testing, “student behavior and limiting campus housing and facilities” have played roles in helping to stop the virus’ spread at the school, The News & Observer reported Wednesday.
The decline in cases at UNC and N.C. State comes as UNC-Charlotte on Tuesday reported what appears to be its first COVID-19 cluster since many students start moving back to the area.
Eight students who live off campus tested positive for COVID-19. The university did not say when they were tested but said they isolated and have since recovered. Classes at the university start Sept. 7, but in-person instruction won’t start until Oct. 1, when students are allowed to move back on campus.
Unemployment rate up in Charlotte area
After seeing an improvement, the jobless rate went up again in the Charlotte area, according to state figures released Wednesday.
Mecklenburg County’s unemployment rate was 9.8% in July, an increase from 8.6% in June, data show. That means 60,809 people in the area were out of jobs, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Among the 100 counties in North Carolina, all but one saw an unemployment increase in July, according to figures.
The rising unemployment rate corresponded with COVID-19 trends during the summer, according to Mark Vitner, a Wells Fargo senior economist. Businesses pulled back on engaging with customers, and some closed after seeing low traffic, he said.
Biden slams Trump’s response to virus as president visits NC
As President Donald Trump prepared to visit North Carolina on Wednesday, Joe Biden slammed the president’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“President Trump still does not understand that in order to fully and effectively restart the economy, we must defeat the virus,” Biden said in a statement to The News & Observer. “Instead of providing North Carolina the road map and resources needed to protect small businesses, schools, and families, he has criticized local leaders and threatened educators for listening to public health experts.”
Trump stopped in Wilmington to declare it as a “World War II Heritage City.” The visit at the USS North Carolina, a former WWII battleship, comes as some voters in North Carolina, a battleground state, will be able to return general election ballots starting next week.
“As Joe Biden hides in his basement and floats another economic shutdown, President Trump is on the ground for the 12th time in North Carolina, showing leadership and commitment to the Tar Heel State,” Gates McGavick, N.C. press secretary for the Trump campaign, said in a statement.
Company awarded contract to develop possible treatment
A North Carolina company on Tuesday said it received $47 million in contracts to continue work on a possible treatment for COVID-19.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a federal agency under the direction of Dr. Anthony Fauci, awarded the contracts to BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, The News & Observer reported.
The company is based in Research Triangle Park and has been working on clinical trials in Brazil. The contracts will help BioCryst continue to determine whether a yellow fever treatment can effectively fight against the coronavirus.
Phase 2.5 of reopening begins Friday
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that more businesses — including gyms, museums, bowling alleys and aquariums — will be allowed to reopen this week in North Carolina.
The change will take effect Friday. Gyms will be allowed to open at 30% capacity while museums and aquariums will be able to open at half capacity, Cooper said during a news conference. Playgrounds can also open. Bars, movie theaters and other entertainment venues must remain closed.
While health officials warn the virus can spread in confined spaces like bars, representatives from the businesses say they feel left behind as more restrictions are lifted.
Cooper called the next reopening step, which comes a week earlier than expected, Phase 2.5.
“We’ve continued to see our statewide numbers stabilize,” Cooper said. “We’re encouraged but cautious.”
Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state health department, said easing restrictions on these businesses doesn’t mean going out is the right choice for everyone. North Carolinians should use their judgment, she said.
Along with the eased restrictions, Cooper also changed the statewide face mask mandate to include children age 5 and older. Previously, only children over age 11 had to wear face coverings.
Additionally, the governor on Monday extended the state’s curfew on alcohol sales until Oct. 2. Businesses that sell alcohol for on-site consumption have been restricted from selling it between 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. since the end of July.
Cohen issued a separate order Tuesday allowing residents at skilled nursing facilities to meet with visitors outdoors. Such visits were already allowed at other long-term care facilities, but Cohen said skilled nursing facilities are home to some of the state’s most medically vulnerable residents.
This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 7:02 AM.
