NC has 750 new cases of coronavirus, percentage testing positive still falling
With North Carolina entering the Memorial Day weekend and more businesses about to open, the state reported 758 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday.
The state has been reporting a growing number of tests. The NC Department of Heath and Human Services reported that 12,579 tests were completed since Thursday.
DHHS data showed that there now have been 21,618 total confirmed cases of the virus after a total of 303,224 tests, or a positive rate of 7.1%. The positive rate has gradually been dropping.
There have been 728 deaths from the coronavirus in the state. There are 568 people currently hospitalized, a decrease of 10 from Thursday, with 18% of intensive care beds available.
Reopening restaurants, hair salons
Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order moving the state into Phase Two of reopening will allow restaurants, hair salons and barbershops to open Friday at 5 p.m. Some swimming pools also will be open for the holiday weekend, although with restrictions.
As the state transitions into Phase Two, employees at personal care businesses must wear face coverings, DHHS secretary Mandy Cohen said. Customers are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings.
“The executive order does not require North Carolinans to wear face coverings outside the home,” Cohen said. “However, it is strongly, strongly recommended. Remember, people can have COVID-19 and not have any symptoms. Face coverings protect your loved ones and your neighbors.”
While most counties are easing restrictions under Phase Two, restaurants, salons, and barbershops in Durham were not opening. Durham has its own, more strict order and those businesses won’t reopen until June 1.
Durham ranked third among the state’s 100 counties in confirmed coronavirus cases.
Restaurants have been able to offer take-out and delivery under the stay-at-home order that expires Friday.
This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 11:39 AM with the headline "NC has 750 new cases of coronavirus, percentage testing positive still falling."
