Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Oct. 23
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Daily cases reach record high
At least 255,708 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 4,114 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday reported a record high of 2,716 new COVID-19 cases, up from 2,400 the day before.
Thirty-two coronavirus-related deaths were reported Friday.
About 7.3% of tests were reported positive on Friday. The percent positive has remained above 7% since Sunday — higher than the 5% target set by health officials.
At least 1,181 people in North Carolina were reported hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday, falling slightly after a steady increase over the last several weeks.
UNC will require COVID-19 tests in the spring
Students at UNC-Chapel Hill will be allowed to take in-person classes and live on campus in single dorm rooms if they choose, the university said Friday.
But all students and faculty will have to be tested for the coronavirus before they return and will be subject to regular testing throughout the semester, The News & Observer reported.
“Our decisions on in-person and remote courses for the spring are fundamentally linked with our choices regarding on-campus residency and testing,” Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said in the email.
The university used committees comprised of students, employees and community members and groups of public health and medical experts to make decisions for the spring semester, saying it “learned important lessons from our experiences” in the fall. The plans could change, however, if the spread of the virus worsens through flu season.
“We understand the stress this uncertainty creates,” Guskiewicz said, “and will communicate with our University community and neighbors as frequently as needed to ensure we have a successful end to this semester, and a safe and effective start to the next.”
101 cases, 3 deaths tied to NC church event
More coronavirus cases and at least three deaths have been linked to church events in Charlotte, bringing the total number of infections to 101.
The cases are tied to the United House of Prayer for All People on Beatties Ford Road, according to Mecklenburg County health officials. The congregation held several events this month, including a “convocation” on Oct. 10-11.
The infections have expanded beyond Mecklenburg County, with two people testing positive in Iredell County, according to officials. There’s also an investigation into a fourth death that may have been linked to the church.
Deputy Health Director Raynard Washington in a statement said event planners made “significant efforts to ensure mask wearing and social distancing among the hundreds of attendees.”
“We really want to make sure our community is aware that there were certainly individuals who were infectious at those events,” Washington said. “We want folks to do the right thing and get tested and quarantine, isolate and follow our instructions.”
Officials said they plan to host a testing event at 2845 Beatties Ford Road on Friday until 5 p.m.
Panthers starter moves to COVID-19 list
A starter for the Carolina Panthers won’t be able to play against the Saints on Sunday after being put on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Though the team is losing cornerback Rasul Douglas, the Panthers are getting back “kicker Joey Slye and offensive lineman Trent Scott,” The Charlotte Observer reported Friday.
The NFL created the reserve/COVID-19 list for players who have tested positive for the virus or may have come into contact with an infected person.
Other players on the Panthers’ reserve list include Tyler Larsen and Michael Schofield, both offensive linemen.
Counties told to get tougher on COVID-19 enforcement
Wake is one of 36 counties in North Carolina to get a letter from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services warning them to better enforce COVID-19 restrictions.
The letters were sent to counties with a spike of more than 300 cases in the last two weeks, The News & Observer reported. Wake had 20,165 cases as of Thursday — an increase of more than 1,000 cases since Oct. 8.
“We ask for your continued help in the fight against COVID-19,” DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen and Erik Hooks, secretary of N.C. Department of Public Safety, wrote in the letter. “We are seeing concerning trends in case counts and hospitalizations in our state and nationally, and we need your help to reduce the transmission of this virus.”
Some of the recommendations include passing local ordinances that involve fines for businesses that violate them, or issuing “imminent hazard abatement orders” that “could temporarily shut down businesses or other establishments that present safety threats,” according to The N&O.
Parents must promise not to put sick kids on the bus
Parents of students who ride the bus in Wake County schools will have to sign a form promising they and their child will follow all health and safety precautions as schools return to in-person instruction.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will also require school bus riders to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines, The News & Observer reported.
“By signing the form, the parent agrees that they will screen their student for COVID-19 symptoms each morning for the current school year,” Stephen Sposato, Wake’s director of transportation operations, said at a news conference Thursday.
Elementary school students from Pre-K to third grade and K-12 special education students go back to school Monday for one week of in-person classes followed by two weeks of remote classes. Daily in-person instruction will resume Nov. 16.
UNC system weighs financial challenges from the pandemic
The UNC system is facing deep financial and operational challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic, President Peter Hans said Thursday during a meeting to discuss the system’s budget priorities.
The board identified four core needs for the 2021-23 academic years: full funding for building reserves and enrollment growth; continued support of the NC Promise program that lowers tuition for students at Western Carolina University, UNC Pembroke and Elizabeth City State University; and funds to support faculty and staff salaries.
There are no plans to seek funding for new projects or initiatives, and the board “won’t be ‘entertaining’ any campus-specific operating budget requests,” The News & Observer reported.
“This is not a moment for sweeping plans,” Hans said referring to the budget. “This is a moment for keeping our most important promises to the students and citizens of North Carolina, including identifying potential savings that can be carried forward into the next fiscal year.”
Charlotte among top American hubs as airport debuts new features
American Airlines, which has a major presence at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, reported billions in losses as the coronavirus pandemic deals a blow to the travel industry.
Though the carrier reported a third-quarter net loss of $2.4 billion, Charlotte was one of the “best performing hubs” compared to 2019, The Charlotte Observer reported Thursday.
The announcement comes as the transportation center is making changes and seeing passengers return.
The airport has reported increasing traffic after taking a dip in March and April when the coronavirus pandemic prompted business shutdowns.
The airport reported 1.2 million passengers in September, the most recent month with available data. Though the total was down from more than 2 million travelers at the same time last year, it was the highest total reported since February.
As traffic rebounds, a new feature allows passengers to check security wait times on the airport’s website and app, The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday.
Also, there are five new electric buses at the airport and officials plan to have more nonstop flights later this year.
UNC using artificial intelligence to help fans follow COVID-19 rules
UNC-Chapel Hill has launched an artificial intelligence tool to encourage football fans to stick to policies meant to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Kenan Memorial Stadium entrances now have kiosks with technology that can determine whether a person is wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing. If someone isn’t adhering to the guidelines, the kiosk will issue an alert, The News & Observer reported Thursday.
“The main goal is to encourage people in the moment,” said Steven King, the chief innovation officer at UNC Reese Innovation Lab, designer of the technology. “One thing we found in our research is that being able to encourage people to use masks and social distance was probably the most effective thing we could do.”
UNC says only anonymous data is collected from the technology, known as Health Greeter Kiosks.
The tool was first used when UNC played Virginia Tech on Oct. 10 and will return for this weekend’s game against N.C. State University.
This story was originally published October 23, 2020 at 6:59 AM.
