Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on April 2
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We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 2,000
North Carolina has at least 2,024 reported cases of coronavirus as of Thursday morning, and 18 people have died.
More than 180 people in the state were in the hospital with COVID-19 on Thursday, and more than 28,600 had been tested for the virus, state officials said.
About 9 of 10 of the state’s 100 counties have at least one confirmed coronavirus case.
Mecklenburg County has the most cases in the state, with 533. Wake County has 247 and Durham County has 155.
Another death reported
Mecklenburg County reported its third coronavirus death on Thursday, bringing the statewide death toll to 17.
Another death was reported Thursday in Gaston County. Officials said the person was in his or her 80s.
The announcement came after more coronavirus-related deaths were reported Wednesday.
Rockingham County reported its first death Wednesday afternoon. The patient was in his or her mid-60s and had several underlying conditions, officials said.
A death was also reported in Mecklenburg County, bringing the total there to two.
In Bertie County, a person who was at least 65 years old died from the virus, officials said.
And Wilkes County reported its first death Wednesday morning. A 60-year-old woman with underlying medical conditions reportedly died Tuesday.
Field hospital coming
Atrium Health says it will set up a field hospital in Mecklenburg County in “a matter of weeks” to be ready for a surge of coronavirus patients expected in mid-April to mid-May, the hospital system said Thursday.
There will be more details on the hospital soon.
Cases at long-term care facility
Two coronavirus cases were reported at a long-term nursing and rehabilitation center in Durham on Thursday.
A healthcare workers and resident at PruittHealth-Carolina Point tested positive for the virus. The worker is isolated at home and the resident is being treated at Duke University Hospital.
School employee tests positive
A Durham Public Schools worker who helped with distributing food and materials to students through Bethesda Elementary during the pandemic has tested positive for the coronavirus, the school system said Thursday.
The person did not work after being tested for the virus. The school system says it was informed of the results late Wednesday night.
UNC Charlotte dorms
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is making six dorms available for emergency use as coronavirus spreads in Mecklenburg County, the chancellor said Thursday.
The campus residence halls have been empty since March 11, following an announcement that the school would transition to online instruction.
Revenue loss expected
The N.C. Department of Transportation said Thursday it anticipates coming up to $200 million short on revenue in the next three months. As people stay home due to the coronavirus, most of the losses are expected to be from declines in fuel tax money.
Medical volunteers sought
The state of North Carolina is asking people with experience in the medical field, including retired doctors and nurses, to step in to help treat patients with COVID-19.
Hospitals are also seeking volunteers within their own health care systems. Some medical professionals have more time in their schedules after elective procedures were suspended due to the coronavirus.
Cases at NC prisons, jails
A nurse at the Mecklenburg County Jail tested positive for coronavirus, officials said Thursday.
The nurse treated young inmates and was last at work on March 22 after being on personal leave for a few weeks. She reported feeling sick after being screened at the jail, self-quarantined and was tested the next day.
The N.C. Department of Public Safety said Thursday that an employee of Central Prison in Raleigh tested positive for the coronavirus.
The announcement comes after cases were confirmed at other prisons in North Carolina this week.
Nine cases of coronavirus have been reported at Butner Federal Correctional Institution, the Federal Bureau of Prisons said Wednesday.
Two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed at the prison on Monday, and one staff member has tested positive.
A new coronavirus case was also announced Wednesday at a state prison. An inmate at Caledonia Correctional Institution in Eastern North Carolina tested positive for COVID-19.
N.C. Department of Public Safety announced employee screening measures Wednesday after someone who worked at Maury Correctional Institution had the virus.
Legislative cafeteria worker tests positive
A cafeteria at the state Legislative Building in Raleigh is closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
The cafeteria had remained open even after Gov. Roy Cooper ordered restaurants to stop dine-in services.
School calendar changes
The Wake County school system said Wednesday it’s switching all year-round schools over to a traditional calendar starting April 13 through at least May 15 while schools use remote learning.
Thousands of year-round school students in the county will have classes each weekday, and their breaks will be shortened or eliminated.
All North Carolina K-12 public schools are closed until at least May 15, but online teaching will begin April 6 at modified-calendar schools and early college high schools. It will start April 13 for both year-round and traditional-calendar schools.
Anti-malaria drugs
Amneal Pharmaceuticals, a New Jersey-based company, donated 600,000 doses of hydroxychloroquine to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services that could be used to treat coronavirus patients in the state this weekend.
The Food and Drug Administration issued an “emergency use authorization” last weekend for the anti-malarial drug to be used to treat COVID-19.
Ambulance worker tests positive
A Mecklenburg County EMS employee has tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Wednesday.
The person wasn’t at work with symptoms, did not transport a COVID-19 patient and is now isolated at home, officials said.
N&O invites readers to share experiences
The News & Observer wants to share your stories about COVID-19 and the North Carolina health care system. Are you a doctor, nurse or patient? Share your story here or contact Lynn Bonner at lbonner@newsobserver.com.
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 6:54 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on April 2."
