Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Sept. 7
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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 177,000
At least 177,919 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 2,897 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday reported 1,018 new COVID-19 cases, down from 1,086 reported the day before.
The health department also reported seven deaths Monday.
On Monday, 5.6% of COVID-19 tests were reported positive, down from 7.6% the day before and close to health officials’ goal of 5% or lower.
At least 765 people in North Carolina were reportedly hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, down from 830 the day before. But the health department posted a notice on its site that hospitalizations are likely undercounted as it’s had problems getting complete data from hospitals over the last few days.
Hospitalizations decrease despite student outbreaks
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has continued to drop in North Carolina despite an increase in cases and clusters among college students across the state.
It’s likely because young people are less likely to have underlying health problems that can cause a coronavirus patient to require hospitalization, doctors say.
“We’re seeing a younger group becoming infected, and those younger individuals tend not to require hospitalization,” Dr. William Fischer, a viral disease specialist at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, told The News & Observer. “And that’s great for them, because they’re not as sick. But the more that we have positive people interacting with others, the greater chance we have of community transmission.”
Health officials are monitoring signs of young people, who may not even know they have the virus, spreading it to others who are more likely to become seriously sick, Dr. Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease specialist at Duke University Health System, said.
“What will be important is whether those positive cases cause secondary infections in more at-risk groups — such as parents or grandparents, janitorial staff, etc.,” Wolfe wrote in an email to The N&O. “In those cases, the risk of getting sick enough to need the hospital goes up again. So far we have NOT seen that sort of spill-over event to any great extent.”
Cases among college students has led to an increase in the portion of the state’s cases accounted for by young people. About 9% of reported cases were among people age 18 to 24 in May and early June. Now, 16% of cases are among that age group.
Looser rules for child care facilities
Some child care facilities in North Carolina will be able to operate with little oversight during the pandemic.
Under a coronavirus relief package set to become law, some child care facilities won’t require background checks for employees or be required to report COVID-19 cases to public health officials. Staff members also won’t be required to be certified in CPR or first aid.
“In a rush to pass this bill in two days without a lot of input, we’ve created these huge loopholes,” Rep. Julie von Haefen, a Democrat from Wake County, told The News & Observer. “Child care to me is a huge issue during the pandemic. The system operates on very thin margins. Now we’re allowing more child care with less parameters.”
The provision, which was included in the bill that distributed North Carolina’s federal coronavirus funds, has raised concerns. It allows “community-based organizations,” such as YMCAs, YWCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs and parks and recreation programs, to provide care for school-aged children at a “remote learning facility” during states of emergency like the coronavirus pandemic.
Previously, they could operate as unlicensed, full-day summer programs or after-school care programs, with some exceptions. But they needed the help of lawmakers to be able to provide care for children who need to participate in remote learning.
Group wants testing data at Durham jail
A group is pushing for more transparency from the health department about COVID-19 testing in the Durham County jail.
Durham CAN sent a third letter asking for comprehensive data on testing to public health director Rodney Jenkins on Aug. 26, The News & Observer reports Sept. 7. It sent its first letter in May and another in June. The latest letter comes as county commissioners are set to meet Sept. 8 to discuss the jail’s response to its second outbreak.
The jail reported 29 confirmed cases in August. During the first outbreak in April, eight detention officers at the jail tested positive for the coronavirus, and one of them died, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office has stated.
“These are people’s brothers and sisters and family members and moms and dads,” Robert Singagliese, co-chairperson of Durham Congregations, Associations and Neighborhoods said. “Let people know on the (county) website, these are the tests that were done and these are the positives and the negatives.”
How to vote by mail
North Carolina began sending out mail-in ballots Friday, months ahead of Election Day, to voters who have requested them, The N&O reported Saturday.
Request forms can be filled out online at at votebymail.ncsbe.gov. Blank forms can also be found at ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail and returned by hand, fax or mail.
The coronavirus pandemic has complicated the election this year. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27. But voters may want to request one ahead of time as those who wait until the last minute could run into problems, especially if the Postal Service experiences slowdowns this fall.
This story was originally published September 7, 2020 at 9:20 AM.
