Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Sept. 21
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We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases surpass 194,000
At least 194,381 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 3,247 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday reported 800 new COVID-19 cases, down from 1,333 reported the day before.
Four coronavirus-related deaths were reported Monday.
About 5.4% of tests were reported positive as of Saturday, the latest date for which data was available. That’s just above health officials’ goal of 5% or lower.
The health department on Monday reported completing 8,231 new tests for the virus, the lowest daily number of tests since June 1, The News & Observer reports.
At least 885 people in North Carolina were reportedly hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Monday, slightly down from 889 the day before.
Cooper, Forest face off over masks, reopening
Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, and Republican challenger, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest faced off over issues surrounding the coronavirus pandemic in North Carolina on Monday.
The two were given chances to speak about education priorities during an online forum and “took jabs” at each other as well, The N&O reports. They talked about the pandemic in terms of mask requirements and reopening plans.
Cooper criticized Forest for holding indoor campaign rallies during which attendees didn’t wear masks or social distance. He also criticized his calls to reopen schools without a face mask requirement.
During a news conference last week, Forest said he would lift the statewide mask mandate if elected and that he didn’t think students or staff should be required to wear face masks at schools.
On Monday, he called Cooper’s criticisms a “character assassination.”
Last week, the governor announced school districts could decide to reopen their elementary schools for full-time in-person instruction. It would include a face mask mandate.
Forest stood by his plan to lift the statewide mask mandate Monday.
“I said I would lift the mask mandate, and I would,” he said.
New program to help business owners
A new coaching program in North Carolina aims to help small business owners struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
The economic development nonprofit Carolina Community Impact launched the program in partnership with affiliated nonprofit Consumer Education Services Inc. It will provide business owners with business and personal credit reviews, business plan critiques and help with business financial statements.
It was developed as other programs to help businesses during the pandemic are set to expire.
“The reality of COVID still hasn’t really hit us yet— there’s been a lot of forbearance, there’s been a lot of deferment by creditors whether that’s on credit side or mortgage side or small business side,” Mike Croxson, CEO of Consumer Education Services, told The News & Observer. “A lot of that is coming to an end now and more and more people are going to end up in a gig kind of job for a while or they’re going to decide its time for me to go into my own business.”
Those interested in the coaching services can learn more by emailing the manager of the initiative for CCI, Joe Battle, at jbattle@ccifund.org.
Trump talks about COVID-19 restrictions, vaccine in NC
President Donald Trump visited North Carolina and spoke to a crowd at Fayetteville Regional Airport on Saturday evening. He talked about the state’s coronavirus restrictions and a vaccine.
“I hate to say, your governor’s got you shut down,” Trump said. “It doesn’t look good here. I think your governor has to let this state open.”
He also said he would “deliver a safe and effective vaccine” for COVID-19 this year.
At least 1,000 people were in the tightly-packed crowd. Seats were “crammed together” and less than half of the people there were wearing masks, The News & Observer reports. Attendees reportedly had their temperatures checked and were encouraged to wear masks.
Some of those behind Trump on the stage were seen wearing their masks incorrectly.
The president is scheduled to make another trip to North Carolina on Thursday to talk about health care. He’ll “discuss his administration’s action and vision in delivering quality healthcare at low costs for the American people” during his visit to Charlotte.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden will also visit Charlotte on Wednesday, marking hisfirst visit to North Carolina since the primary, The Charlotte Observer reports. Details about his trip haven’t been released.
Reopening plans at CMS, Wake schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are expected to start reopening for in-person instruction.
The phased approach will take 12 weeks to implement. Pre-K students will begin returning as early as Oct. 12 followed by elementary school students and middle school students, The Charlotte Observer reported Sunday.
The school system is following guidelines for bringing students and employees back, and the severity of the pandemic in the area will determine how quickly students return.
Students will rotate between in-person and online instructions, and busing will work similarly. A maximum of 24 students will be allowed on each bus, with one student per seat and face masks required.
Students who opted for the district’s virtual academy will not return to in-person learning along with their grade. Families who want to switch into or out of the virtual academy should contact their school.
The Wake County school system emailed parents Friday about a survey with questions about their preferences for returning to in-person classes. One question asks parents to rank the four different options the system has for restarting face-to-face learning.
Parents have until 5 p.m. Sept. 21 to respond.
Also, the district last week approved allowing students to get recordings of live classes. Under the revised policy, lessons will be available for students who missed them or want to look back.
Wake County students haven’t had in-person classes since Gov. Roy Cooper ordered school buildings to close in March due to the spread of COVID-19. But the governor announced last week that school districts can choose to open their elementary schools full time starting Oct. 5.
This story was originally published September 21, 2020 at 7:24 AM.
