Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 23
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases pass 400
North Carolina had at least 410 reported cases of coronavirus as of Monday evening.
Mecklenburg County has 106 reported cases, the most in the state. An additional nine cases were reported in the county on Monday.
Durham County has 71 reported cases, and Wake County has 66.
Durham County reported 30 additional cases of the virus on Monday evening. Wake County reported an additional 14 cases.
New Hanover and Buncombe counties both reported five additional cases, bringing New Hanover’s total to nine and Buncombe’s to eight.
One of the reported cases in Wake County is an individual at Sunrise of Raleigh, a senior living community.
Eleven people in North Carolina are in the hospital with COVID-19, Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday.
Schools closed until May 15
All of North Carolina’s K-12 public schools will remain closed through May 15, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Monday.
Last week Cooper ordered all public schools closed until March 30, but he said Monday the closures need to be extended to “promote public health and safety.”
Additional business closures
Cooper on Monday also banned gatherings of more than 50 people and ordered additional businesses toclose by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Those businesses include gyms, nail salons and movie theaters.
The governor had previously banned gatherings of more than 100 people. Cooper ordered restaurants to stop dine-in services last week.
Testing
More than 8,400 people in North Carolina have been tested for COVID-19, and thousands more samples are waiting to be tested, officials said Monday afternoon.
The state is a “leader” in testing, officials said, but has not been given the testing supplies it should have been given from the federal government.
More file for unemployment
About 113,000 North Carolinians have filed for unemployment in the last week. That’s nearly three times more than the number of people who filed during the rest of 2020 combined.
The unemployment office has struggled to keep up with the demand. It’s upgraded its computer servers to prevent website crashes and is looking to hire 50 new workers.
Transportation changes
The coronavirus outbreak has prompted adjustments to public transportation in Charlotte and the Triangle.
The Charlotte Area Transit system has reduced bus and light rail services and changed schedules as fewer people are using public transportation. Rides are now free.
In the Triangle, GoDurham, GoRaleigh and GoTriangle buses dropped their ride fares Monday and are having riders use the back door to get on and off.
Chapel Hill Transit is doing the same. It’s already free to ride.
New measures in Wake County
Wake County declared a heightened state of emergency on Sunday, putting in place additional measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The county is closing some public spaces and urging businesses to screen workers for high temperatures. Public gatherings are limited to 50 people.
Mecklenburg leaders push for ‘stay-at-home’ order
Some elected officials are calling for Mecklenburg County to order residents to stay home and limit nonessential outings because of the coronavirus.
Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Chair George Dunlap told The Charlotte Observer that officials likely will discuss the issue during a special meeting Tuesday.
Some states and cities across the United States have issued stay-at-home orders that prohibit nonessential travel, force many residents to work from home and close all nonessential businesses.
Hospitals ask for help
UNC Health and WakeMed are asking for the public’s help getting the medical supplies they need.
The most “urgent needs” include N95 masks, surgical masks, nasal swabs, disinfectant, eye protection, face shields, disposable gloves, gowns and shoe covers, and hand sanitizer and soap.
Local organizations have started donating items to the hospitals.
Textile company making face masks
A North Carolina textile company is leading an effort to increase the production of face masks across the country.
Parkdale Mills Inc. in Gastonia is working with several other companies in the United States to create a face mask “manufacturing supply chain” for health care workers.
The company plans to start production Monday and expects to produce 10 million masks a week starting in about four or five weeks.
Parks, campgrounds close
People seeking relief from isolation during the pandemic are overwhelming some of North Carolina’s most popular city, county and state parks, prompting new limits and even closures.
Crowders Mountain, Lake Waccamaw, Hanging Rock and Raven Rock state parks all closed Sunday evening “until further notice.”
The U.S. Forest Service is closing all campgrounds and day use areas in the state Monday, until May 15. And the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has put a halt to camping and even picnicking in the park until at least April 30.
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