NC hospitals ask Gov. Cooper to issue ‘shelter in place’ order to prevent COVID surge
Hospitals in North Carolina have asked Gov. Roy Cooper to immediately order people to “shelter in place” to try to head off a surge in new coronavirus cases.
The N.C Healthcare Association, which represents all 130 hospitals in the state, sent a letter to Cooper Monday afternoon saying the step is needed because the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is rising rapidly.
Steve Lawler, the group’s president, said because of still-limited testing the magnitude and timing of a surge in new cases that could overwhelm the healthcare system is unknown.
“It is imperative that we move quickly, as it will take at least two weeks after a shelter in place order is issued before we see a change in the trajectory of cases,” Lawler wrote. “Hospitals and physicians throughout the State believe this is the only resort left to immediately impact the growth and spread of the virus.”
Lawler’s letter does not spell out what a “shelter in place” order would mean for state residents. In an interview Monday evening, he said the goal would be to limit non-essential outings to further reduce contacts between people that can spread the coronavirus.
“Even the countries that have had almost complete shutdown, those everyday things — going to work, the store, a pharmacy — those things have to continue, and we know and appreciate that,” Lawler said.
Cities and states across the country have issued orders to shelter in place or stay home, but the details, including exceptions, vary from place to place. In general, the orders require people to avoid unnecessary travel and to remain home as much as possible.
Lawler said the association had not received a response from Cooper or his office as of Monday evening.
Cooper’s press secretary, Dory MacMillan, issued a brief statement late Monday.
“We appreciate the healthcare association for reaching out and look forward to continuing to work closely with them,” MacMillan said. “As Governor Cooper said in the briefing today, our state is preparing for every scenario.”
Cooper ordered bars and restaurants to close last week and shut the state’s schools. On Monday, he extended the school closure until at least May 15 and also closed additional businesses that require close social interaction, including barber shops, hair and nail salons, health clubs and movie theaters.
Cooper also banned gatherings of 50 people or more, down from the previous limit of 100.
Lawler said the hospitals appreciate the steps the governor has taken, but don’t believe they go far enough. Hospitals are worried about having enough supplies, beds and staff to handle an outbreak on the scale of those in China, Italy and now New York.
“The shelter at home really is about squeezing down the number of people that can congregate together,” he said, adding that people will come to appreciate these sacrifices in the end. “We know that countries and states that have been more assertive on the front end have better outcomes on the back end.”
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 8:01 PM with the headline "NC hospitals ask Gov. Cooper to issue ‘shelter in place’ order to prevent COVID surge."
