Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 28
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 1,044 reported cases of coronavirus as of Saturday evening.
At least 71 of North Carolina’s 100 counties now have at least one case.
The number of reported cases in Mecklenburg County climbed to 299 on Saturday — the most in the state, health officials report. Wake County has 134 reported cases, and Durham County has 103.
Friday marked the fourth consecutive day the state’s total case number increased by 100 or more.
Statewide stay-at-home order
Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statewide stay-at-home order on Friday to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The mandatory order goes into effect at 5 p.m. Monday for 30 days, until April 29, but “can be revised or extended.”
Cooper’s order follows more than a dozen similar orders in communities across North Carolina, including Wake, Durham and Mecklenburg counties.
Under the statewide order, North Carolina’s 10 million residents can still go to the grocery store or pharmacy, jog or walk outside, or order takeout or curbside delivery from restaurants.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s allowed, and what’s banned, under the order.
Northampton County has spike of 20 cases
Northampton County saw its COVID-19 case total jump to 25 on Saturday, and county officials said all but one of its cases come from the same facility, according to a news release.
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.
“All of the cases are mild, and many of the individual cases were asymptomatic as we tested everyone in the facility to ensure the health of all,” Smith said Saturday night.
Information released by the county health department earlier Saturday said 20 new positive tests were recorded, adding to the five cases already on record for Northampton. The first case was reported Monday, March 23.
The only case not linked to the facility is an individual who traveled out of state and is currently being isolated at home, health officials said.
More deaths reported
Five people have died from the coronavirus in North Carolina.
A person in Rowan County who tested positive for COVID-19 died from the disease, local health officials said Friday. The patient was considered high risk “due to age and underlying medical conditions.”
Also on Friday, Johnston County health officials said a resident there in his or her 60s died Thursday. The person had an underlying medical condition.
Raleigh officials said Thursday a supervisor in the city’s Solid Waste Services Department died from the virus. Adrian Grubbs, 37, lived in Harnett County.
The state reported its first deaths on Wednesday: a Cabarrus County resident in his late 70s and a Virginia resident who was traveling in North Carolina.
Differing definitions of ‘essential’
Wake, Durham and Orange Counties have a different definition of an “essential service” than Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Under separate stay-at-home orders, gun stores in the Triangle area are not essential — meaning they’re limited to online, delivery or mail-order sales, The News & Observer reports.
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County specifically name “firearm and ammunition suppliers and retailers for purposes of safety and security” as essential businesses.
Thousands call Franklin Graham hotline
The Charlotte-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has received thousands of calls on its 24/7 COVID-19 prayer line, president and CEO Franklin Graham said Saturday.
Graham posted the prayer line on Facebook March 21, saying “you don’t need to be afraid.”
Ex-NC State guard helps hometown
Dennis Smith, the former guard for N.C. State who currently plays for the New York Knicks, donated money to purchase 575 food vouchers for first responders to buy meals at Fayetteville’s Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
Fayetteville is Smith’s hometown.
“I wanted to show support for the real heroes during these tragic times — the first responders. And show them that I have their back, just like they have ours,” Smith said in a statement.
Make-A-Wish wishes delayed
At least 49 kids in Charlotte and all of Western and Central North Carolina have had their wishes from the Make-A-Wish Foundation delayed amid the outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the region.
Many of the wishes had been scheduled for over spring break.
“A lot of families were very upset, but they certainly are very understanding. They don’t want to put their families at risk and know it’s for the best for everyone,” said Michelle Scanella, marketing and communications manager for Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina.
Kids now have the option of changing their wishes if they don’t want to wait.
Agriculture industry avoids labor shortage
A main sector of North Carolina’s economy will avoid missing out on a much-needed seasonal workforce, mainly from Mexico, after the State Department announced Friday it would end suspensions of routine visa services.
The federal move comes amid concerns over labor shortages in the U.S. agriculture industry during the coronavirus pandemic.
The State Department had suspended routine visa services on March 17 to fight coronavirus spread. But now people can once again get H-2A visas to work temporarily in the U.S. and then return home.
Wake sheriff sued over gun permits
Wake County resident Kelly Stafford and the state gun rights group Grass Roots North Carolina, coupled with two national organizations, are suing the sheriff over his decision to suspend gun permitting during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sheriff Gerald Baker previously announced his office would suspend pistol purchase permit applications until April 30.
“Although Sheriff Gerald Baker claims his refusal to accept applications for pistol purchase permits and concealed handgun permits doesn’t infringe on individual rights, nothing could be further from the truth,” Paul Valone, president of Grass Roots North Carolina, said in a statement.
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 28, 2020 at 7:38 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 28."
