Mecklenburg COVID-19 cases rise at slower rate, but 4 more patients die
Mecklenburg County has 1,450 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 41 deaths related to the disease as of Saturday, according to new data from the state Department of Health and Human Services, as the rate of new infections continues to flatten.
That’s a midday jump of 26 cases and 4 deaths since Friday, and that figure is likely to rise.
Statewide, cases rose by 490 Saturday, with 20 new deaths. N.C. health officials initially said Saturday there were 8,717 cases of the disease and 304 deaths total. On Sunday, though, the state corrected its number, saying a reporting error from one health care provider led to an over-count of positive tests. The total number of cases Saturday was adjusted down to 8,542.
“Even with the adjustment, Saturday’s daily increase of 490 COVID-19 cases remained the largest single-day number of new cases the state has recorded since the pandemic began in March,” The (Raleigh) News & Observer reported Sunday.
The correction from the Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday also changed the number of counties with at least one case. Now 94 of North Carolina’s 100 counties have at least one case, according to state data. As not all cases are tested, the true count of infections is almost certainly higher.
As the rate of new infections continues to decrease, attention turns to the eventual reopening of closed facilities, such as restaurants and schools. Closed since March, North Carolina public schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Friday.
Confirmed cases also rose in the counties surrounding Charlotte Saturday. Their case counts are as follows: Cabarrus, 261; Catawba, 50; Gaston, 133; Iredell, 99; Lincoln, 25; Rowan, 342; Union, 195. York County, SC, had 177 cases, local media reported Saturday.
Within Mecklenburg County, there are eight virus outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Eight of the local deaths so far were patients in such facilities, according to county data released Friday. The county expects cases to peak sometime in June, county Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said Friday.
Stay-at-home standoff
This week, Cooper extended the statewide stay-at-home order until May 8, while outlining a general path out of generalized lockdown. His plan involves a three-phase process of incrementally relaxing restrictions in steps.
Still, despite widespread public opposition to an accelerated re-opening, many businesses and conservative politicians are pushing for a quicker reopening of businesses. Mecklenburg County likely won’t be able to extend its own stay-at-home order, which lapses April 29, because some towns in the county oppose an extension.
Cooper’s three-phase plan depends greatly on whether the rate of new infections and deaths in North Carolina continues to decline, as it has in recent weeks.
The first phase, potentially starting when the stay-at-home order ends May 8, lets some retailers reopen with social-distancing mandates. Gatherings of more than 10 people wouldn’t be allowed, but parks could reopen fully.
A few weeks later, the next phase allows bars, restaurants and churches to reopen with capacity limitations. The third phase allows for larger gatherings and fewer capacity restrictions.
Rowan nursing home outbreak
Two staff members at Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Rowan County tested positive for COVID-19 and were immediately sent home, county officials said Saturday.
All center residents have been tested for COVID-19, and officials are awaiting the results.
“A public health communicable disease nurse and an environmental health specialist have already conducted a site visit and report that the facility is adhering to current guidelines and recommendations,” according to a Rowan County government news release.
Liberty Commons has notified all staff and residents, or their family members, of the positive tests, officials said.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Sunday April 26 to reflect state health officials issued a correction to Saturday’s total number of cases in North Carolina. State officials said there was a reporting error involving Vidant Health. Saturday’s total number of cases was revised and adjusted down to 8,542.
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 12:49 PM.