Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 20
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We’re keeping track of the latest news about coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
More reported cases
North Carolina has at least 179 reported cases of coronavirus.
Johnston County announced its third case at 5:30 p.m. Friday.. In the Triangle, Durham County announced four new cases — bringing its total to 39 — and Wake County announced seven new cases — bringing its total to 32.
Nearby Franklin County announced four cases.
New cases in Mecklenburg County on Friday upped its count to 43, the most in the state.
The total has climbed steadily since the first coronavirus case was reported in North Carolina on March 3. Cases have been reported in 33 counties, including several in the Charlotte and Raleigh areas.
Unemployment claims mount
At least 42,000 people in North Carolina filed for unemployment this week before 8 a.m. Friday. Almost all of them cited COVID-19 as the reason, a state Commerce Department spokeswoman told the News & Observer.
The spike in filings comes on the heels of N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision to close dining areas of restaurants and bars on Tuesday.
The state Department of Health and Human Services included outdoor patio spaces in that order on Thursday night, the Charlotte Observer reported.
Bank of America reduces hours
Charlotte-based Bank of America is reducing its hours during weekdays nationwide. The bank will be open from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with regular hours on Saturday.
Branch workers will receive a $200 bonus every two weeks as a result, the Charlotte Observer reported, and call center employees will have their overtime pay raised to double their standard hourly rate.
LabCorp expands testing capacity
North Carolina-based LabCorp announced Friday it can perform more than 20,000 COVID-19 tests per day — nearly double its previous capacity.
The tests are being performed at labs in Burlington, N.C., Phoenix, Ariz. and Raritan, N.J.
LabCorp is among a few companies certified by the FDA to test for the virus, The News & Observer reported.
North Carolina beaches shut down
Beach towns along the North Carolina coast — including Wrightsville Beach, Surf City, Topsail Island, Emerald Isle, Nags Head and Bald Head Island — are strongly encouraging visitors to stay away.
Some have closed public access while others suspended beach driving, closed parking lots and removed street parking.
Standardized testing could be off the table
The U.S. Department of Education isn’t enforcing standardized testing requirements for elementary through high school students, President Donald Trump announced Friday.
That includes end-of-grade exams in North Carolina for grades 3-8 and end-of-course exams for high school students.
State Superintendent Mark Johnson told ABC11, the News & Observer’s media partner, on Thursday that he would submit a waiver request for North Carolina.
The General Assembly would also have to sign off on it.
Duke Health employee tests positive
Duke University Health System on Friday said an employee tested positive for coronavirus. Hospital officials say patients likely weren’t exposed.
UNC System cancels graduation ceremonies
The University of North Carolina System on Friday announced it would not hold spring graduation ceremonies this year due to concerns about the coronavirus.
UNC System interim President Bill Roper cited guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to cancel or postpone events with 50 people or more for eight weeks.
Tax deadlines extended
North Carolinians have more time to pay state and federal taxes as coronavirus spreads.
U.S. Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin on Friday announced the deadline for filing with the Internal Revenue Service was extended from April 15 to July 15.
“All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties,” Mnuchin wrote.
The N.C. Department of Revenue on Thursday announced a similar extension for taxpayers. The state’s new deadline applies to paying taxes, but plans for a filing extension haven’t been announced.
Calls for Burr to resign
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr on Friday asked the Senate’s ethics committee to review his stock sales as critics called for his resignation.
The North Carolina Republican last month sold more than $1 million in stocks before he reportedly told a group coronavirus was “akin to the 1918 pandemic.”
Burr is chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which was reportedly getting COVID-19 briefings by the end of February.
Jails releasing inmates
Some jails in the Triangle are releasing inmates as the coronavirus spreads.
Durham County cut its jail population by 9%, and Chatham and Orange counties released some people awaiting trial.
Mecklenburg County said it was also releasing some inmates.
Food, health care waivers requested
Cooper has made a request to the federal government for waivers so more people in the state can receive food and Medicaid benefits.
Part of the request asks for more flexibility for low-income residents who receive SNAP or WIC benefits. SNAP is North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services, and WIC is Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
The request also asks to eliminate limits on critical access beds and how long Medicaid will pay for a patient to be admitted to the hospital.
Durham closing some businesses
The city of Durham on Thursday announced it would close gyms, theaters and some other businesses due to the spread of coronavirus. The change goes into effect 5 p.m. Friday.
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? The News & Observer will get the answers for you. Go to bit.ly/virusnc and let us know what you need to know.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 6:08 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 20."
