More businesses challenge state orders as newly reported coronavirus cases fluctuate
Coronavirus cases in North Carolina grew by a smaller margin Tuesday, as state officials face more challenges from businesses to executive orders meant to contain the spread of illness.
Gym owners are challenging Gov. Roy Cooper’s order that they cannot yet reopen. Thousands of fans packed Ace Speedway in Alamance County on Saturday, when the state executive order limits outdoor gatherings to 25 people.
“It’s deeply concerning when people ignore the order,” Cooper said at a news conference Tuesday when asked about gym owners’ defiance. “I’m pleased that most business owners are acting responsibly. They know it is in the best interest of the health and safety of the people in North Carolina.”
The low number of reported new cases Tuesday comes after a spike of 1,107 new cases reported Saturday, the largest single-day increase. That spike was “concerning” Dr. Mandy Cohen, state Department of Health and Human Services secretary said, but it’s important to look at trends and not results from one day.
DHHS reported 24,140 confirmed cases of COVID-19, up 176 from Monday’s total. The death count from the pandemic rose to 766 people statewide, 12 more than on Monday. The number of completed tests reported Tuesday was the lowest it has been in about two weeks.
Keith Acree, spokesman with the state Department of Emergency Management, attributed the Tuesday dip to factors including fewer people getting tested on weekends and fewer labs reporting.
The state has now conducted 352,331 coronavirus tests, up more than 7,000 per day, and the rate of positive results was at 8% — a key metric in measuring the virus’ impact.
The number of people in hospitals with COVID-19 fell slightly to 621 statewide. Inpatient beds are still available with 29% unoccupied, while intensive care beds have 19% of their capacity unfilled.
The News & Observer is keeping a separate tally based on totals from DHHS and reports from county health departments, which tends to be higher because the state updates its count once daily.
As of Tuesday night, the total stood at 24,454 cases and 802 deaths.
The virus continues to be most deadly for the state’s elderly with 63% of all deaths striking those over 75. The demographics for infected patients show a trend toward younger people, though, as the greatest percentage falls within people aged 25 to 49.
COVID-19 safety at the RNC
Cohen has asked Republican National Convention CEO Marcia Lee Kelly for a COVID-19 safety plan, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Cohen’s letter was prompted by President Donald Trump threatening on Monday in a series of tweets to move the August convention from Charlotte unless “full attendance” is allowed.
“A written plan provides a necessary and valuable starting point to planning discussions with our public health team at the county and state levels,” Cohen wrote.
Cohen asked for “several scenarios planned that can be deployed depending on the public health situation.”
Cooper said Tuesday he has supported hosting the convention in Charlotte.
“I’m not surprised by anything I see on Twitter,” he said. “It’s okay for political conventions to be political, but pandemic response cannot be.”
COVID-19 recoveries in NC
Nearly 15,000 people in North Carolina are presumed recovered from COVID-19, The News & Observer reported. DHHS reported on Monday an increase of about 3,000 estimated recoveries in the past week.
In calculating recoveries, the state estimates a 14-day recovery period for people who have not been hospitalized, and a 28-day recovery period for people who have been hospitalized.
Staff writers Ashad Hajela of The News & Observer and Austin Weinstein of The Charlotte Observer contributed.
This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 11:38 AM.