Mecklenburg tops 1,300 coronavirus cases, reports its 2nd-largest single-day increase 

Mecklenburg County passed more than 1,300 coronavirus cases Wednesday after a significant leap in new COVID-19 lab confirmations and three additional deaths were reported in a single day.

The 76 new cases, for a total of 1,331, were the second-biggest single-day increase since the first coronavirus report in the county on March 11. With the additional deaths, the county’s death toll now stands at 35.

Statewide, the Department of Health and Human Services reported 7,220 total cases Wednesday morning, including 269 new ones across North Carolina. The 242 deaths statewide by Wednesday were a daily increase of 29 people.

State and Mecklenburg County stay-at home orders expire April 29. But if the state order expires, the county won’t be able to extend its restrictions without the consent of its six towns.

County commissioners Chair George Dunlap said it’s not likely that all the towns would go along with an extension. It would, he added, have to be “all or nothing.” The county attorney agreed.

The top official of at least one of the towns, Huntersville Mayor John Aneralla, favors gradually relaxing restrictions.

Commissioners were scheduled to discuss the restrictions at a Wednesday night meeting.

Traffic plummets but air may be cleaner

As coronavirus has closed many businesses and grounded flights, traffic on highways and rural roads has plummeted — and the air has probably gotten cleaner as a result.

The N.C. Department of Transportation says the number of cars on roads with stoplights and signal systems is down 31% in Charlotte, compared to just before the coronavirus closures took place.

Because emissions from cars, trucks and other vehicles are heavy contributors to air pollution, state transportation officials say they expect an improvement to air quality.

With fewer people on the roads, driving times have shrunk so cars idle less and use gas more efficiently, and so pollute less, they say.

The state Turnpike Authority says the state’s toll roads are seeing sharply reduced traffic. Daily transactions on the Triangle Expressway near Raleigh are down 55% to 65% and on the Monroe Expressway east of Charlotte 40% to 50%.

The authority doesn’t expect any long-term impacts to either roadway, which were developed with 30-year financial plans including reserves to get through low-traffic periods.

It’s unclear how decreased traffic will financially affect the privately-developed Interstate 77 toll lanes north of Charlotte. Developer and operator I-77 Mobility Partners offered no statistics.

“With stay-at-home orders in effect for several counties in our state, traffic volume for interstates, highways and streets has decreased,” spokeswoman Jean Leier said. “This change in our region reflects what can be seen across the country as temporary travel restrictions are in effect.”

Drone-delivered medical supplies

The state transportation department said Wednesday that, starting in May, a public-private partnership will use drones to deliver critical medical supplies and food during the COVID-19 response.

Charlotte is among sites for the project. Zipline and Novant Health will deliver personal protective equipment and other medical equipment across Novant’s medical campuses, the department said.

“Novant Health and Zipline are working with the Federal Aviation Administration on options to pursue emergency operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Novant public relations director Megan Rivers said. “The timing of the operation is dependent upon receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.”

The department’s Division of Aviation and its partners will host an online forum from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday on the initiative.

“North Carolina has been a leader in demonstrating how drones can help people in times of crisis,” Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette said in a statement. “We look forward to putting this technology into productive use as we work to help citizens and medical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In Raleigh and Garner, WakeMed, UPS and Matternet plan to use a drone to deliver non-COVID-19-related supplies and equipment between WakeMed’s main hospital in Raleigh and the WakeMed Garner Healthplex. In Holly Springs, Flytrex will deliver food from restaurants in a shopping center to nearby neighborhoods.

Officials will use data collected to help learn how drone technology can be used in other areas of the country. Funding for the individual drone missions will come from the private partners, while DOT coordinates the project.

Real estate agents seek looser restrictions

A group representing Charlotte real estate agents wants the county to loosen some restrictions on selling houses as signs show the pandemic is taking a toll onspring home buying.

Pending home sales were down 11% in March compared to the previous year, says a report by Mecklenburg County based on data from Canopy Multiple Listing Services.

Mecklenburg’s stay-at-home order prohibits many aspects of real estate transactions from being conducted in-person. The county’s economist, Michael Simmons, predicts that economic uncertainty during the outbreak will prompt buyers to pull back.

Even after the order is lifted, his report estimates it will take several months for many to recover from financial hardship, impacting sales.

Drug overdoses increase during shutdown

Drug overdoses have increased in Charlotte during the pandemic, and addiction specialists say they’re concerned people stuck at home are drinking too much and turning to drugs.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have seen a 24% increase in emergency calls about drug overdoses since March 26, when Mecklenburg County began its stay-at-home order. Of those 100 calls, 10 people died.

CMPD reports no spike in suicides, and with bars and restaurants closed, there’s been no noticeable change in impaired driving charges. Still, the Mecklenburg County ABC Commission reports a 30% increase in sales as of April 3, compared to a year earlier.

Nurses say pay cut despite infection risk

Some nurses at Charlotte’s biggest health care provider, Atrium Health, say they have had their pay reduced despite the risk of becoming infected with the coronavirus while treating sick patients.

The nurses say they’re frustrated at having to choose between taking reductions in hours and pay to stay in their unit, or working directly with COVID-19 patients without hazard pay and sufficient personal protective equipment.

Dennis Taylor, president of the North Carolina Nurses Association, said that his organization had received complaints statewide about changes to hours and assignments as well as the lack of protective equipment.

Hospitals nationwide, including Atrium, have canceled non-emergency procedures and treatments to make room for new coronavirus patients, costing them millions of dollars. Many have furloughed employees or cut workers’ pay to save money.

In a statement, Atrium said it has offered choices to workers willing to take alternative assignments. Atrium has also set up a relief fund for employees facing financial problems caused by coronavirus, and offered employees enhanced childcare benefits and help with food and lodging.

Online help for small businesses

The city on Wednesday launched the Open for Business dashboard, an interactive directory of small businesses that’s intended to help connect them with customers.

The dashboard, which is also available on the CLT+ app, displays each business location along with its operating hours, service delivery options and special offers. Customers can filter businesses by type and location.

It’s part of the city’s Open for Business initiative, a campaign supporting small business owners during state and county stay-at-home orders and the COVID-19 recovery period. More than 300 small businesses have been added to the dashboard since it launched last Friday. Businesses can join by completing an application.

This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 11:31 AM.