Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 29
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 1,000
North Carolina has 1,186 reported cases of coronavirus as of Sunday afternoon.
At least 78 of North Carolina’s 100 counties now have at least one case.
As of Sunday morning, 91 people in the state were hospitalized with the virus, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services says.
The number of reported cases in Mecklenburg County climbed to 336 on Sunday — the most in the state. Wake County has 146 reported cases, and Durham has 107.
More deaths reported
Two coronavirus-related deaths were reported in North Carolina on Sunday, bringing the total to seven in the state.
A person died from the virus Sunday in Mecklenburg County, officials said Sunday afternoon. The patient was 60, had underlying medical conditions and was believed to have contracted coronavirus through community spread.
A Buncombe County resident died from complications associated with COVID-19 at Mission Hospital in Asheville on Saturday, county officials said Sunday morning. Officials did not release the person’s name or other details.
North Carolina reported its first deaths on Wednesday. A Cabarrus County resident in their late 70s with underlying medical conditions died Tuesday. A Virginia resident traveling in the state also died.
On Thursday, officials said a Harnett County man in his late 30s died from the virus. A Johnson County resident and Rowan County resident also died, officials said Friday.
Contractor tests positive
A contractor in Wake County has tested positive for coronavirus after going to work with symptoms, officials said in a release Sunday.
The contractor was “supporting public health and clinical services” in one of the county’s Human Services buildings.
Officials found 16 people who were exposed to the virus after tracking the contractor’s movements. All are symptomatic and, since they work in health care, will be tested for the virus.
Unemployment payments
North Carolinians who have filed for unemployment due to coronavirus will start receiving payments this week.
Since Gov. Roy Cooper loosened unemployment restrictions on March 17, about 270,000 people in the state have filed for unemployment. Most of those are related to COVID-19.
Projections for the state
A model created by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation makes predictions about the coronavirus situation in North Carolina.
The model says the pandemic’s peak is still weeks away in the state and that, during the peak, there will be dozens of deaths daily. It projects 2,400 deaths by Aug. 4.
It also projects the state could face a hospital beds shortage between April 17 and April 27.
Northampton County cases spike
The number of reported coronavirus cases in Northampton County has jumped to at least 25, with all but one case linked to the same facility, health officials said.
County health director Andy Smith would not identify the facility, but said in an email to The News & Observer that none of the people who tested positive have had serious complications.
Northampton County is in the northeastern part of the state, along the Virginia border.
Statewide stay-at-home order
A mandatory stay-at-home order for all North Carolinians begins at 5 p.m. Monday.
Gov. Roy Cooper issued the order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Under the order, people can still go to grocery stores, pharmacies and medical appointments.
