Health director: Charlotte-area coronavirus trend ‘fairly flat.’ Data will drive reopening plan

The coronavirus trend in the greater Charlotte area appears to be “fairly flat,” said Mecklenburg Public Health Director Gibbie Harris on Friday. She noted that the number of confirmed cases and hospitalizations is neither spiking nor dropping dramatically.

Although Mecklenburg County residents are successfully flattening the COVID-19 curve, social distancing and the stay-at-home order are still crucial to avoid overwhelming local hospital systems, Harris told reporters Friday morning.

At least 1,400 Mecklenburg County residents have tested positive for the coronavirus and 38 have died as of Friday morning, Harris said. And around 90 people locally are hospitalized due to COVID-19, she estimated.

“Our data … it’s flat. It’s not going down significantly. It’s not going up significantly,” said Harris, urging residents to continue wearing cloth face coverings or masks in public to prevent possible spread of COVID-19.

Harris said the extension of the statewide stay-at-home order hasn’t drastically changed the county’s COVID-19 projections. The coronavirus peak is still expected in late June, when Atrium Health and Novant Health could see the greatest strain on resources, according to Harris.

‘Data driven’ reopen NC plan

County Manager Dena Diorio said she was “very, very pleased” that Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday had extended his executive order through May 8. Mecklenburg’s local proclamation was also extended through May 8. Schools will remain closed until the fall, Cooper announced Friday.

“Their phased approach is data driven, and I think that makes that an incredibly strong model,” Diorio said Friday.

A gradual reopening of Mecklenburg’s economy likely “won’t be more restrictive” than the state’s guidelines, Diorio said. But she emphasized that local officials must closely monitor the latest trends in coronavirus data to gauge the best way to loosen restrictions.

In Cooper’s three-phase approach to life the stay-at-home order, North Carolina would slowly reopen restaurants, bars, houses of worship and entertainment venues while maintaining social-distancing rules.

But to ease restrictions, the state would have to reach key benchmarks, including a 14-day decrease in the percentage of positive coronavirus and the number of coronavirus-like cases.

Harris emphasized in Friday’s press briefing that if people contract coronavirus during the reopening phase, it won’t be immediately obvious. People don’t show symptoms or get tested immediately. With gradual business openings, it could take up to two weeks for data to show if outbreaks have worsened, Harris said.

“We’ve got limited limited access to testing, as well as limited access to PPE,” Harris said, referring to a shortage personal protective equipment that state leaders say is critical to revamping economic activity.

Local officials are still planning for a worst-case scenario where Mecklenburg’s hospitals could experience a surge in intensive-care capacity, Harris said.

Hannah Smoot contributed.

This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 11:32 AM.