Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on Nov. 13
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Case count surpasses 305,000
At least 305,233 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 4,720 have died, according to state health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday reported 1,779 new COVID-19 cases, down from 2,893 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.
The state health department said it was changing the time data appeared on its COVID-19 dashboard, leading to a “one-time artificial decrease in the number of tests, cases and deaths” on Friday.
At least 1,423 people were hospitalized Friday, the most since the start of the pandemic. State health officials expected to see a “one-time increase in hospitalizations and a continued higher number” of patients as they followed new rules from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Eight coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the state on Thursday.
About 8% of tests were reported positive on Wednesday, the latest day for which data are available. That’s above the 5% target set by health officials.
COVID-19 business grants went to country clubs
North Carolina’s Job Retention Grants went to a dozen companies headquartered elsewhere and 22 country clubs and golf clubs, among others, according to data released by the N.C. Chamber of Commerce.
The $60.5 million state grant was intended for businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19, but it required recipients to have kept at least 90% of their workforce during the pandemic. That meant few restaurants, hotels, nail salons and bars qualified, The News & Observer reported.
International logistics firm XPO was the largest beneficiary of the program in North Carolina — four of the Fortune 500 company’s affiliates received $769,258. The company is headquartered in Connecticut.
Twenty-two country clubs, golf clubs and at least one yacht club were given $5.45 million in Job Retention Grants. That’s about 9% of the program’s total funding, according to The N&O.
A few advocacy groups, including the N.C. Chamber, the N.C. Medical Society, the N.C. Psychiatric Association and the N.C. Association of School Administrators, also received money from the program.
Charlotte 49ers football game canceled
UNC Charlotte’s Saturday football game against Gardner-Webb has been canceled after positive COVID-19 tests were linked to the Gardner-Webb program.
“I really hate this for both teams, but as we look at the national landscape, these cancellations are becoming more and more common,” 49ers Director of Athletics Mike Hill said Friday. “Every time we actually play a game, it’s a victory no matter the score. Our resilience is being tested, but we will continue to fight the good fight because our players deserve nothing less.”
Charlotte has a 2-3 record, and this is the fifth game the 49ers have had to cancel or postpone over coronavirus concerns, the Charlotte Observer reported.
UNC researchers study e-cigarette users’ response to viruses
The use of e-cigarettes can alter the body’s response to viruses in significant ways, according to research from UNC-Chapel Hill.
“While the study focused on a flu model, the findings suggest that e-cigarette users are likely more susceptible to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 than non-smokers,” The News & Observer reported Friday.
The findings raise concern as the country prepares to battle peak flu season during the coronavirus pandemic. They also come as e-cigarettes have become increasingly popular.
The study, which was published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, examined e-cigarette users, cigarette smokers and people who didn’t smoke.
“E-cigarette use is not safe or safer than cigarettes, and that is a really important take-home message,” said Meghan Rebuli, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics. “You probably shouldn’t be inhaling any kind of tobacco-related products; it all impairs your immune response to the viruses.”
New guidelines for high school athletes
High school athletes in North Carolina are required to wear face masks during practices to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, according to new guidance.
Coaches must wear face coverings during “indoor skill development sessions,” The News & Observer reported Thursday. Also, volleyball players will have to wear masks when their sport becomes the first in the public school system to resume games on Monday.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, on Thursday said not all sports have the same risk factors, with volleyball at a “medium” risk level.
“We already recommend that the athletes wear a face covering if it can be tolerated,” Cohen said. “So I support wearing face coverings when at all possible, particularly for something like volleyball where you are indoors. For even these medium-risk athletic activities, our department does recommend wearing face coverings while in those activities.”
The N.C. High School Athletic Association on Thursday shared the guidelines for athletes, which was approved by the association’s board. The state health department and the NCHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee were also consulted.
“Collectively we must do everything we can to mitigate against the continuing spread of COVID-19, and it is our belief that the above steps will assist those efforts,” Que Tucker, NCHSAA commissioner, said in an email to schools.
The guidance comes as Charlotte Country Day, a private school, won’t get an opportunity to compete in the N.C. Independent Schools semifinal football game because of COVID-19 concerns. After one player tested positive, contact tracing efforts determined other teammates were “close contact cases.”
Wake schools report 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 some 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.”
Also in Wake County, more public libraries were set to reopen Friday with precautions. Those include a three-day “quarantine” for books returned to the facilities, The News & Observer reported.
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 during a news conference Thursday. “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.
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 2 would begin when 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 for 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, The News & Observer reported.
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.
This story was originally published November 13, 2020 at 6:58 AM.
