Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on April 22
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We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 7,400
North Carolina has reported at least 7,488 cases of the coronavirus, and 265 people have died as of Wednesday afternoon, according to state and county health departments.
State officials announced 269 new cases Wednesday, up from 187 reported the day before.
But officials say the number of reported cases isn’t a good snapshot of the pandemic’s impact, as many cases likely go undetected.
On Wednesday, 434 North Carolina coronavirus patients were in the hospital, up slightly from 427 hospitalizations reported the day before, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Ninety-three of the state’s 100 counties have reported at least one case of COVID-19, and 58 have reported at least one death.
Mecklenburg County, the epicenter of North Carolina’s outbreak, has reported 1,284 cases and 33 deaths, the most in the state.
In the Triangle, Wake County has reported 616 cases and nine deaths, and Durham County has reported 439 cases and six deaths.
Nursing home outbreak
Three people at Universal Healthcare Lillington in Harnett County have tested positive for the coronavirus, county health officials said Wednesday.
There are outbreaks at 39 nursing homes and 14 residential care facilities in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
More than 1,260 cases and 109 deaths have been reported among nursing homes and residential care facilities.
Cases at county jail
Six Durham County Sheriff’s Office employees who work at the county jail tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Wednesday.
No inmates have been infected.
All infected workers are isolated at home, but officials didn’t say if any of them came into contact with inmates.
Inmate death
North Carolina officials on Wednesday announced the death of a state prison inmate was linked to COVID-19.
A man, who had underlying health conditions, was at Pender Correctional Institution near the coast, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety.
The announcement comes as more than 450 inmates have tested positive for the virus at the hard-hit Neuse Correctional Institution in Goldsboro.
In the federal prison system, five inmates have died at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, roughly 12 miles northeast of Durham.
Drone deliveries
North Carolina officials on Wednesday announced drones will be used to deliver supplies to hospitals as coronavirus spreads. The program launches next month and includes facilities in the Charlotte and Raleigh areas.
Near the Queen City, personal protective equipment will be among the items transported to Novant Health facilities, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Restrictions loosen
Some visitors will be allowed to enter parts of the Outer Banks starting Thursday. People who own property in Currituck County but aren’t residents can get into the area if they have permits.
Restrictions for other Currituck visitors won’t be lifted until May 15 at the earliest.
To the south, Dare County is welcoming back “non-resident property owners” in phases that start May 4, The News & Observer reported. Decisions about other travelers haven’t been made yet.
Both Dare and Currituck counties shut out visitors as COVID-19 spread across North Carolina.
Carteret County, which includes the barrier islands further to the south, hasn’t announced plans for its restrictions on rentals and camping sites.
Cleaner air?
The N.C. Department of Transportation reported fewer cars on roads in Charlotte, Raleigh and other areas amid coronavirus-related restrictions. The pandemic has also stopped flights and led to fewer visits to transit stations, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Though Mecklenburg County could do a thorough analysis later, preliminary data shows the Charlotte area has had some air quality improvement, according to Clean Air Carolina. The area’s air was already cleaner than some other population centers.
Air pollution can worsen conditions for patients with respiratory infections, likely including COVID-19, McClatchy News reported.
Unemployment claims
Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order Tuesday allowing some furloughed workers to claim unemployment benefits.
Under the order, furloughed workers who were given a severance from their employers can now receive jobless benefits.
Additionally, self-employed workers in the state will be able to apply for unemployment benefits starting Friday. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance will go to those who are self-employed, who work as independent contractors or freelancers or who work in the gig economy and don’t qualify for state benefits.
So far the state has paid more than $580 million in unemployment to more than 257,000 people since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Announcement on schools expected
The governor said Tuesday he will announce this week whether the state’s K-12 public schools will reopen this school year.
Schools in North Carolina have been closed since March 16 and will remain closed until at least May 15, but Cooper said he hasn’t given up on reopening them this year.
He also said Tuesday that he’ll likely make an announcement this week on the statewide stay-at-home order, which is in place until April 29 but could be extended.
Opinions vary on whether schools should reopen.
Some state and local leaders told The News & Observer Wednesday that they expect the governor to keep schools closed as social distancing at them is impossible.
But the group ReopenNC, which has pushed for Cooper’s restrictions to be lifted, says it thinks it’s safe to reopen schools.
At-home testing
LabCorp has received the first federal approval for an at-home COVID-19 test kit, the North Carolina-based company said Tuesday.
The test, called Pixel, will be available for people whose health care providers recommend it. The test involves swabbing the inside of the nose and mailing the sample to LabCorp.
The kit is being used on the frontlines now but should be available to the general public in the coming weeks, the company says. It costs $119.
Another protest in Raleigh
About 1,000 people gathered in downtown Raleigh on Tuesday to protest the state’s stay-at-home order and business closures.
Similar protests have been held around the country, drawing support from President Donald Trump.
At the ReOpenNC rally, counter-protesters wearing medical scrubs stood outside the state archives to show support for the orders to protect health care workers.
NCDOT layoffs
The N.C. Department of Transportation said it will lay off about 300 workers to offset a drop in revenue caused by the pandemic.
The department is also postponing 88 of the 138 major road construction projects set to begin in the coming year, The News & Observer reports.
More than half of NCDOT’s revenue comes from gas taxes, which are way down because people are traveling less, Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette told The N&O.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 7:03 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on April 22."
