Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 25
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We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Increase in cases
North Carolina has at least 608 reported cases of coronavirus as of Wednesday evening.
Mecklenburg County has the most reported cases in the state, with 170. Durham County has 84, and Wake County has 84.
Durham County reported 10 additional cases of the virus Wednesday evening and Wake County reported 11.
Twenty-nine people in North Carolina were in the hospital with COVID-19 as of Tuesday.
More than 10,000 coronavirus tests have been completed in the state, officials said Wednesday.
First deaths reported
The first coronavirus-related deaths were reported in North Carolina on Wednesday.
A Cabarrus County resident died March 24, Gov. Roy Cooper announced. The person was in their late 70s and had underlying health conditions.
A person from Virginia who was traveling through the state also died from COVID-19 complications. That person was in their 60s, according to the governor’s office.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones,” Cooper said. “This is a stark warning that for some people COVID-19 is a serious illness. All of us must do our part to stop the spread by staying at home as much as possible and practicing social distancing.”
President Trump approves disaster declaration
President Donald Trump said a major disaster exists in North Carolina because of the coronavirus, a day after Gov. Roy Cooper requested the disaster designation.
The action opens federal funding to state, tribal, eligible local governments and certain nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures, according to the White House and FEMA.
Cooper, in his request, asked for individual assistance to those affected, including crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and Small Business Administration assistance, according to his office.
“It’s important that we help North Carolinians stay protected from the health impacts of COVID-19 and recover economically from the financial impacts this crisis is having on our state,” Cooper said in a statement.
The FEMA release for North Carolina does not mention crisis counseling.
Stay-at-home orders
Several communities in North Carolina have issued stay-at-home orders or plan to do so soon.
Mecklenburg County issued a stay-at-home order that goes into effect at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Under the county’s order, which will remain in place until April 16, residents can still leave their homes to go to grocery stores, pharmacies and medical appointments. But they aren’t allowed to leave for “nonessential” jobs or travel, including visiting friends and family.
The city of Durham announced a similar order Wednesday that will go into effect 6 p.m. Thursday and last until April 30. Wake County also plans to announce a similar order.
Orange County has plans to enact an order that will go into place 6 p.m. Friday and last until April 30. It can be rescinded at any time.
Officials in Chatham County say they are developing a stay-at-home order as well.
Guilford County, Greensboro and High Point also issued a joint stay-at-home order for their residents on Wednesday.
At least three other communities in North Carolina have issued such orders ahead of state leaders: Madison and Pitt counties and the coastal town of Beaufort.
Gov. Roy Cooper has not issued a statewide shelter-in-place order.
Doctors urge more restrictions
Doctors and physicians assistants in North Carolina are calling on Gov. Roy Cooper to issue an order that would stop the public’s access to non-essential businesses for two weeks.
The N.C. Medical Society joins hospitals in the state in urging the governor to further limit contact between people to slow the spread of coronavirus.
N.C. State Treasurer tests positive
Dale Folwell, the North Carolina State Treasurer, tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, officials said on Wednesday afternoon.
Folwell, 61, starting showing symptoms after he returned home from a work trip on March 16. He’s now quarantined in his home.
Duke treatment trials
Duke University Hospital will take part in the first national tests of a potential coronavirus treatment.
The treatment is an antiviral agent known as remdesivir that was previously tested in people with the Ebola virus.
The trials will begin immediately, and adult patients at Duke who have “significant” symptoms of COVID-19 will be eligible to participate.
Wake strategy changes
Wake County officials said Tuesday they’re changing their strategy to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The county will test fewer people who have minor coronavirus symptoms and will instead encourage more self-isolation. Only those age 65 and older, those with underlying medical conditions and health care workers and first responders will be tested for the virus.
The changes come in response to “community spread” within the county. Five to 10 people in Wake who have coronavirus don’t know where or when they were exposed, officials say.
“We don’t want people with mild illness coming out to get tested and exposing themselves, if they are (negative), to other people who are positive, and vice versa,” Wake County Medical Director Kim McDonald said. “People with mild illness, knowing you’re positive doesn’t change the treatment.”
Hospital supplies
About 20 percent of people who have been infected with coronavirus in North Carolina have been hospitalized, Cooper said Tuesday.
In comparison, about 2 percent of flu cases usually result in hospitalization.
Cooper said the federal government hasn’t given the state the supplies it needs to handle COVID-19, and hospitals are “scrambling” to find enough personal protection equipment, or PPE.
The Wake County school system said Wednesday it will donate the PPE it has in its nearly 200 schools to healthcare workers and first responders.
Thousands more file for unemployment
As of Tuesday, 140,000 North Carolinians had filed for unemployment benefits since March 16.
About 25,000 people filed on Monday, the same day Cooper announced he was ordering more businesses, including nail and hair salons, gyms and movie theaters, in the state to close.
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This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 6:54 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 25."
