NC has the most new COVID-19 cases in two months, as more businesses prepare to reopen
North Carolina reported 2,277 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, the most new daily cases confirmed since July 30.
The increase comes the day after Gov. Roy Cooper announced the state will enter Phase 3 in its reopening and loosened pandemic safety measures to allow bars, movie theaters and amusement parks to open with restrictions Friday at 5 p.m.
The state has counted 212,909 COVID-19 cases since March. The official total is likely an undercount because tests were rationed early in the pandemic.
The COVID-19 death toll climbed by 47 people, the state Department of Health and Human Services reported Thursday, bringing the total to 3,579.
Hospitals reported treating 939 people with COVID-19 as inpatients Wednesday — seven fewer than Tuesday — with 97% of hospitals reporting. DHHS lowered the number of COVID-19 patients reported hospitalized Tuesday from 956 to 946.
DHHS says the information on its data dashboard, including hospitalization data, is preliminary and subject to revisions. Dr. Mandy Cohen, DHHS secretary, has said it is more useful to consider two-week trends rather than daily numbers.
The percent of coronavirus tests that were positive Tuesday stood at 5.7%, down from 6.6% Monday. DHHS is aiming for a positivity rate of 5% or lower.
Cooper and Cohen said at a news conference Wednesday that the metrics they use to make decisions on health safety measures, such new lab-confirmed cases and people going to hospitals with breathing problems and fevers, have stabilized. But they have repeatedly called the stability “fragile.”
‘A cautious step forward’
At the news conference, Cohen called the Phase 3 plan allowing more businesses to reopen “a cautious step forward.”
Bars can only have outdoor service at 30% capacity. Outdoor amusement parks can reopen at reduced capacity. Movie theater auditoriums are limited to 30% capacity, or 100 patrons, whichever is less. Outdoor venues with more than 10,000 seats can open at 7% capacity. Smaller outdoor venues can operate at 30% capacity, or with a 100-person limit, whichever is less.
Mass gathering limits remain at 25 for indoors and 50 for outdoors. Fitness facilities, restaurants, personal care businesses (barbershops and hair salons) and museums continue to have the same capacity limits outlined under Phase 2.5, which took effect Sept. 4.
In a news release, the North Carolina Bar and Tavern Association called Phase 3 “an unworkable path.”
Six Cinemark Theaters in North Carolina, including one in Raleigh, will open Oct. 9, according to the company website.
After starting the school year with mostly remote learning, school districts around the state are preparing to bring more children back to classrooms. Public schools can bring elementary school students back for daily, full-time, classroom instruction Monday, if their school board elects to.
UNC-Chapel Hill, N.C. State University and East Carolina University all ended in-person classes for undergraduates this fall and closed dorms to most students after the rapid spread of coronavirus infections. Those campuses are revamping safety plans as they prepare for students’ return for the spring semester, The News & Observer reported.
This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 2:45 PM.