Mecklenburg’s models show improvement, but social distancing still called crucial

There have been 839 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths in Mecklenburg County, public health Director Gibbie Harris said Wednesday afternoon.

Harris said the county is working with Atrium and Novant to run predictive models – similar to hurricane prediction models – on the COVID-19 outbreak. The increase in cases has not been as large as expected, which she said means social distancing efforts are working.

“We’re seeing some flattening of the curve, and it’s because of what you’re doing in the community,” Harris said. “…It’s absolutely necessary that you continue to comply with that.”

But even with social distancing, local hospitals are expected to be overwhelmed in early to mid-May, Harris said.

CMPD Deputy Chief Jeff Estes echoed Harris’s urging to citizens to comply with the stay-at-home order.

“This is not a time to celebrate,” Estes said. “This is a time to double-down.”

On Tuesday, there were 805 reported cases and eight deaths, according to the county. Last week, there were 466 reported cases in Mecklenburg County.

Harris said public health officials are not “actively pursuing” a curfew for younger residents in Mecklenburg.

Local health officials warn that the true number of individuals infected is likely higher either because they do not meet the guidelines for testing or because they may be asymptomatic.

The people who have died in Mecklenburg range in age from 60 to 93 and all had “underlying health conditions,” according to county health officials. The health department told the Observer Tuesday that officials would not release information about the deceased individuals’ race, sex or zip code, citing privacy concerns.

In North Carolina, there were 3,450 known cases and 58 deaths as of Wednesday morning. There has been a 5% increase in cases and four additional deaths since Tuesday, according to the state health department.

African Americans disproportionately affected by the virus

On Wednesday, Harris drew attention to the fact that 48% of Mecklenburg COVID-19 cases are in African Americans, she said. That’s not a surprise, Harris said.

“This is just symptomatic of the problems we have in our system,” Harris said. “… We have got to look at ways to increase access to testing and care.”

More than 50% of those patients who died were black – the others were white, Harris said. She did not provide the racial breakdowns of the other deaths reported so far in Mecklenburg.

Mecklenburg commissioners weigh in

Echoing her statement to county commissioners Tuesday night, county Manager Dena Diorio told media Wednesday the county plans to extend the stay-at-home order to April 29, to match the governor’s statewide order. She doesn’t expect any other revisions to the order at this time, she said.

Diorio also announced that Mecklenburg will close gates at public parks so cars cannot enter, and park rangers will enforce restrictions.

Tuesday night, the commissioners approved two emergency loan programs, one for small businesses with 50 full-time employees or fewer and one for micro-businesses with five or fewer employees. The relief packages provide low-interest loans for immediate expenses such as rent, payroll and utilities.

Mecklenburg’s economic development director told commissioners that the loans are intended to stabilize businesses.

A request for a new hospital and more health care workers

Novant Health and Atrium Health have changed their request for a 3,000-bed hospital to a 600-bed field hospital near uptown. Last week, the two hospital systems had asked the county for a facility at UNC Charlotte.

The new hospital would bring the county’s total hospital bed capacity to 6,784, Novant CEO Carl Armato said. The field hospital would require a staff of about 700, he said.

Diorio said the county learned that federal agencies will not send North Carolina assistance up front in staffing a mass care field hospital.

“We should not anticipate additional support, and now we’re looking at alternative sites, including on our sites, to see what may be available,” said Atrium CEO Gene Woods.

Some doctors have registered with the state to come out of retirement in wake of the coronavirus crisis. But Diorio said Mecklenburg needs more help.

About 450 retired doctors registered to regain their licenses across the state Dioirio said Wednesday.

“We know we will need an excess of 450 people just to work in Mecklenburg County,” she said. “So when I say we need health care workers to come work with us, it’s pretty severe.”

Diorio said she is not aware of any retired doctors who have returned to work in Mecklenburg.

New executive orders?

“We don’t know the answer yet whether the stay at home order will be extended into May, and if it is, what it will look like,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in a press conference Wednesday.

Cooper said he is planning to pass more executive orders this week, some of which will limit the number of shoppers who can be in a retail store, according to The Raleigh News and Observer.

As social distancing measures take hold, Harris Teeter is joining other grocery stores and limiting the number of people allowed in the store at one time. Starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, the Matthews-based grocery story will limit customers to 50% of building code capacity.

Other stores like Trader Joe’s, Bi-Lo, Walmart, Target and Lowe’s Home Improvement have already stated limiting the number of customers allowed inside at one time.

The state also announced that federal agencies approved Cooper’s plan to use hotels and college dormitories to house people in unstable housing situations who need to quarantine, The Raleigh News and Observer reported.

FEMA will cover 75% of the costs for providing 16,5000 individual housing units and the state will cover the remaining costs, which includes support for security, food, laundry and water.

Iredell County reports a first death and Catawba sees another case

Iredell County reported its first COVID-19 related death on Wednesday. The individual had underlying health conditions, according to a statement released by the county health department.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family during this difficult time,” said Iredell County Health Director Jane Hinson in a press release. Hinson added that the county’s first death emphasizes the need to follow the stay-at-home order.

Iredell County health department said no more information would be released, citing privacy concerns for the family.

One new case of COVID-19 has been identified in Catawba County, bringing that county’s total number of residents who have tested positive to 28. There have been 446 negative test results, according to Catawba County Public Health news release.

This is a developing story.

This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 12:08 PM with the headline "Mecklenburg’s models show improvement, but social distancing still called crucial."