Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Nov. 12
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We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Daily hospitalizations hit new record
At least 303,454 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 4,706 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday reported 2,893 new COVID-19 cases, down from 3,119 the day before. Wednesday’s daily case count was the highest reported in the state since the start of the pandemic, breaking the previous record of 2,908 cases on Nov. 6.
It took less than two months for the state’s reported cases to climb from 200,000 to 300,000.
Eight coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the state on Wednesday.
About 7.9% of tests were reported positive on Tuesday, the latest day for which data are available. That’s above the 5% target set by health officials.
At least 1,279 people in North Carolina were reportedly hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Thursday, the highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic and the second consecutive day of record hospitalizations.
Wake reports 26 new COVID-19 cases
Wake County Schools reported at least 26 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday, bringing the total to 51 cases since students returned for in-person learning on Oct. 26.
Three of the cases are potentially connected at Reedy Creek Middle School in Cary, The News & Observer reported. The news comes as more than 20,000 elementary students are slated to return to school for in-person instruction on Monday.
Elementary and middle school students in Wake County are currently attending classes in small groups to keep class sizes down and maintain adequate social distancing. But kindergarten through third-grade classrooms are starting Monday with daily in-person instruction, meaning 18 to 19 students will be in a classroom together.
“We have many classrooms in the district that with the full K-3 classrooms will not be able to social distance at 6 feet,” Wake County Superintendent Cathy Moore said at this week’s school board meeting. “We understand that, and so it’s just what can you do. It should be at least 3 feet.”
Cases increase in rural NC counties
Two times as many coronavirus cases have been reported in North Carolina’s rural counties than urban and suburban counties, and COVID-19 related deaths in rural areas account for the majority statewide, according to public health officials.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, said the sudden rise is attributable to people being lax about wearing masks, particularly in group settings, The News & Observer reported.
“I think they are communities that largely were spared earlier in the year,” Cohen said a Thursday news conference. “Now the virus has hit these communities.”
North Carolina’s largest counties — Mecklenburg, Wake and Guilford — still account for the highest number of coronavirus cases, according to The N&O. But Cohen said the spread is faster in rural counties in terms of cases per capita.
How officials plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccine
Pfizer announced a possible vaccine candidate on Monday that’s proven 90% effective in preventing COVID-19, prompting new discussions about how it might be distributed across North Carolina.
“Hope is on the horizon,” N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday at a news conference. “This pandemic will not last forever, as frustrating and painful as it is.”
North Carolina previously submitted its draft plan for distribution on Oct. 16. The proposed plan involves four phases of distribution, with Phase 1 including healthcare workers at high risk of exposure, EMTs, firefighters and other essential workers, and long-term care staff and residents. Phase 1 would encompass roughly 951,000 people, officials said.
Phase 1 wouldn’t kick in until more vaccine doses become available, The News & Observer reported.
Local health departments, hospitals and long-term care facilities will be the first provider groups tapped to distribute the vaccine. Federally Qualified Health Centers, corrections facility providers, and employee healthcare providers that serve frontline workers would be next.
NC restaurants now eligible to get rent relief
An expanded relief program in North Carolina is offering restaurants help with rent or mortgage insurance during the coronavirus pandemic.
The businesses can get up to $20,000 from the Mortgage, Utility and Rent Relief program, which is under the CARES Act. Eligible restaurants must not have received money from the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, The News & Observer reported Thursday.
“We’re most appreciative for any relief that we can get for restaurants,” said Lynn Minges, executive director of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. “All restaurants are struggling. It’s been a very tough several months.”
Earlier in the pandemic, Gov. Roy Cooper ordered restaurants closed to dine-in service for two months to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Since May 22, the businesses have been allowed to operate at limited capacity.
Tourists return to Western North Carolina
The tourism industry in Western North Carolina took a big hit during the coronavirus pandemic, but tourists are starting to return — bringing much-needed money to businesses but also a risk of spreading COVID-19.
The hotel occupancy rate in April fell to 78% of last year’s rate, and occupancy was down by about 50% over the summer.
But by September, when the vibrant colors of fall started to emerge, hotel occupancy was down by just 24% compared to last year.
Marla Tambellini, vice president of marketing at the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she does not know of any COVID-19 clusters related to tourism.
But Jane Anderson, executive director of the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, said restaurant workers still have to remind customers about about safety protocols.
NC practice looking for COVID-19 trial participants
Tryon Medical Partners is seeking up to 900 people who want to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial.
The Charlotte-area medical practice has teamed up with research partner Javara to sign up patients for the study from Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Tryon Medical is participating in several vaccine trials to “play an active role on behalf of our patients” in stopping the virus’ spread, CEO Dale Owen said. Those interested in the latest study can call 704-586-9386.
The news comes after the Durham VA Health Care System on Monday started taking on volunteers for a coronavirus vaccine study. Many of the more than 300 people who expressed interest served in the military.
“I felt it was a perfect opportunity to basically continue to serve my country,” said Frank Bray, a veteran and assistant chief of the respiratory department. “This was a golden opportunity to not only serve our veterans, but also the population at large.
Charlotte cases climb, but lockdown would be a ‘hard sell’
Expanding coronavirus-related restrictions would be a “hard sell” in the Charlotte area, despite the average number of daily cases almost doubling in recent weeks, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said.
In Mecklenburg, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and the percentage of positive tests are on the rise. Increased testing only explains part of the reason the caseload has gone up.
“Over the last 30 days, the number of tests given to Mecklenburg residents has increased by about 20% compared to the 30 days prior,” The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday. “In that same time frame, cases among county residents rose by more than 115%.”
Triangle employers hiring as NC unemployment falls
The Triangle could see holiday and full-time job opportunities even as seasonal hiring is down nationwide.
Companies are starting to look for employees after North Carolina saw its unemployment rate fall to the lowest level since the pandemic hit the state. (The jobless rate fell to 6.1% in August, the lowest since March, when it was 3.8%.)
“While the pandemic and related restrictions on small businesses have severely limited full-time jobs across North Carolina, there is still a demand for workers,” Gregg Thompson, North Carolina director for the National Federation of Independent Business, said in a news release. “We are seeing a need for part-time workers, especially during the upcoming holiday sales season, and there is a critical shortage of skilled workers in construction.”
Most of the seasonal jobs are in warehouses, a reflection of changing consumer habits in recent months. Among the employers hiring in North Carolina is online retailer Amazon, which saw a rise in demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
This story was originally published November 12, 2020 at 7:55 AM.
