NC coronavirus deaths top 3,500 on day Gov. Cooper announces some restrictions will end
North Carolina reported 1,495 more cases of COVID-19 as the number of people hospitalized continued to increase, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
Hospitalizations increased to 956 with 97% of hospitals statewide reporting. That’s the highest it has been since Aug. 28, when there were 970 people hospitalized.
There have now been 210,632 cases since the first case was reported in March, DHHS data shows.
The state reported 38 new deaths associated with COVID-19. As of Wednesday, 3,532 North Carolinians have died due to the virus.
DHHS reported that some of the additional cases and deaths reported Wednesday should have been reported on Tuesday, but due to complications with the reporting system, Tuesday’s numbers fell short. Tuesday, the state reported 889 new cases.
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday that the state will be entering phase 3 of reopening starting Friday at 5 p.m. with restrictions remaining on capacity limits.
In phase 3, bars, amusement parks, large and smaller outdoor venues can reopen — outdoors only — at limited capacity. Movie theaters can reopen as well, indoors, at limited capacity.
North Carolina reported an additional 15,162 COVID-19 tests on Wednesday. In total, the state has administered more than 3 million tests. Friday, the state started including cases diagnosed from antigen tests in its data, though they count for about 2% of cases.
The seven-day average of tests that have come back positive for the virus has hovered around the state’s goal of 5% over the past few weeks, but that number has slowly ticked upward. Last week the positive test was 5%, but as of Monday, the rate is 5.3%.
Available intensive care unit beds decreased by over 30, down to 507.
North Carolina moves into phase 3
Cooper recommended that anyone in a vulnerable population stay at home as the state moves to phase 3.
“Our at-risk population is still safer at home,” he said.
Cooper cautioned those choosing to gather under the eased restrictions to do so safely.
“Our stability is fragile,” he said at the news conference Wednesday. “I believe that North Carolina can do this safely. But so I am clear, every gathering carries the risk of spreading this disease. Being safe means being smart and making sure others around you are doing the same.”
Wake County facilities to require COVID-19 screening
Wake County announced Tuesday that screening for COVID-19 will be required before people enter the county’s justice center, courthouse and office building.
The screening process, effective Friday, will include a temperature check and questions about symptoms, according to a press release from Wake County.
The county is requiring those with COVID-19 symptoms or with recent exposure to the virus not to enter those county facilities, even if they are scheduled for a court appearance.
The county advised that people with symptoms or recent exposure should contact their attorney and leave a message at WakeCourtHotline@nccourts.org or 919-792-4242.
This story was originally published September 30, 2020 at 1:53 PM.