Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on June 19
We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 49,000
At least 49,840 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 1,197 have died, according to the state health department.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday reported an additional 1,652 cases of the virus, up from 1,133 reported the day before and the second highest daily case count total. The record high of 1,768 was reported on June 12.
North Carolina has averaged about 1,200 new daily cases over the last seven days, as of Friday.
Officials reported 22 additional deaths Friday.
More than 18,635 new coronavirus tests were reported Friday for a total of 712,313. About 9% of Friday’s tests have come back positive.
The percent positive rate cannot be calculated by simply dividing the number of cases by the number of completed tests, mainly due to the timing of when tests are administered and when and how test results are submitted to the state from labs.
Hospitalizations reach another record
Daily hospitalizations reached a new high in North Carolina again on Friday.
At least 871 coronavirus patients were in hospitals, the highest one-day total the state has ever reported.
Thursday was the fourth consecutive day of record-breaking hospitalizations, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
At least 857 patients were hospitalized Thursday, up from 846 on Wednesday and 829 on Tuesday, according to officials.
On Friday, 91% of hospitals reported data to the state.
The recent increase in hospitalizations has concerned Gov. Roy Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, the DHHS secretary.
Data show about one in five hospital beds and 22% of ICU beds in the state were available as of Thursday. While Cohen said there was enough capacity as of Wednesday, “if we just react to hospitalizations by the time we get close to maxing out hospitalizations, it could be too late.”
Cooper vetoes bill to reopen gyms, bars
Cooper vetoed a bill Friday that would have given bars and gyms the go-ahead to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s the second reopening attempt by the Republican-controlled legislature that Cooper has nixed, The News & Observer reported. The first would have reopened bars for outdoor seating and increased restaurant capacity, but did not include gyms.
“Tying the hands of public health officials in times of pandemic is dangerous, especially when case counts and hospitalizations are rising,” Cooper said in a statement after vetoing the bill Friday.
NC senate bill pushes for hospital visitors
North Carolina state senators passed the“No Patient Left Alone Act” on Friday, which would allow patients who are hospitalized to have at least one visitor as the coronavirus pandemic drags on.
The rule would not apply to COVID-19 patients.
Senate Bill 730 would prevent hospitals from requiring a patient waive his or her visitation rights. Hospitals would still be allowed to test for the coronavirus and restrict entry if the visitor failed to pass an infectious disease screening, The News & Observer reported.
The bill passed 40-4.
“These patients not diagnosed with COVID-19 have been forced to be alone,” Sen. Warren Daniel, a Morganton Republican, said Friday.
Apple closes stores in the Carolinas
At least 11 Apple stores in four states are shuttering “due to current COVID-19 conditions” in those areas, an Apple spokesperson said Friday.
The two North Carolina stores slated for closure are both in Charlotte — one at the Northlake Mall and the other at the Southpark shopping center, McClatchy News reported.
Apple did not say when the stores will reopen.
Lawmakers push for July 4 fireworks
The state Senate on Friday approved a bill that would prevent Gov. Roy Cooper from issuing an executive order that bans parades or fireworks on Independence Day.
The proposed legislation would also stop local governments from banning parades and firework events that private groups organize for the holiday.
Several cities have canceled Fourth of July events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Current statewide coronavirus restrictions don’t allow more than 25 people to gather outside.
Cooper hasn’t announced which rules will be in place after the current ones expire on June 26, and he “hasn’t said if he objects to” the Independence Day legislation, NC Insider reported.
“The Governor and health experts continue to have concerns about the spread of the virus in mass gatherings and he will review this legislation,” Cooper spokesperson, Dory MacMillan, said in an email.
Charlotte encourages diners to get tested
Mecklenburg Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said anyone who has recently visited a crowded restaurant or brewery in the Charlotte area should get tested for the coronavirus.
Citing pictures of restaurants that appear to be hosting “mass gatherings” and case numbers continuing to climb, Harris told reporters Friday anyone in attendance — especially if they weren’t wearing face coverings — ought to be tested.
Attorneys cite ‘human behavior’ in keeping bars closed
Attorneys defending Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision to keep North Carolina bars closed told a federal judge Friday that “human behavior” is to blame.
“It’s not just the facilities, it’s human behavior inside those facilities,” said senior deputy attorney Amar Majmundar, representing Cooper’s order. “Restaurants present a different environment.”
Roughly 200 bars across the state sued Cooper earlier this month over his decision to let restaurants reopen while bars remained shuttered. Their attorney argued the bars should be “treated like the other 85%” — meaning restaurants, wineries, brewery taprooms and hotel bars that were allowed to resume business.
Bills to limit lawsuits
Two bills that passed in the state Senate on Thursday would limit liability for places that reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.
One piece of proposed legislation calls for businesses to post notices of their measures to protect people from COVID-19. It also would make them liable in cases of “gross negligence, wanton conduct or intentional wrongdoing,” The News & Observer reported.
Another bill would provide private, community swimming pools limited immunity from lawsuits related to the coronavirus.
The two proposals are going to the state House.
Face mask requirements
Cooper said Thursday a statewide order requiring the use of face masks could be announced next week.
He and Cohen said during a news conference that getting more people to wear masks is of upmost importance to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“We’re examining the issues surrounding a statewide requirement of face masks and some local governments have put requirements into effect already,” Cooper said. “Regardless of whether it’s a law or store requirement, wearing a face covering when you’re around others slows the spread of the virus.”
Raleigh will require the use of face masks starting at 4 p.m. Friday.
Knightdale Mayor James Roberson also signed a proclamation Thursday mandating the use of masks in the Wake County town. It will take effect at 5 p.m. Sunday.
In Raleigh, an emergency proclamation signed by Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin requires residents to wear a covering that goes over the nose and mouth when “in contact with other people who are not household members in public or private spaces where it is not possible to maintain social distance or where recommended social distancing practices are not being followed.”
“All restaurant, personal care, grooming, tattoo and retail employees and staff shall wear a face covering while on duty,” the Raleigh proclamation says.
Raleigh and Knigthdale join Durham and Orange counties in requiring face masks. Those not wearing masks in these counties won’t be arrested or cited. Raleigh plans to follow suit and enforce the rule through education, Baldwin said, according to The News & Observer.
In Charlotte, Mecklenburg County commissioners pushed for a face mask mandate Tuesday and asked for official recommendations from county health officials by next week.
Inmates transferred during pandemic
North Carolina officials continued transferring state inmates throughout the pandemic despite warnings from health experts that doing so risked spreading the virus, The Charlotte Observer reported Thursday.
In many instances, inmates were transferred from prisons with outbreaks to prisons without known cases.
Since the beginning of April, when COVID-19 cases were first reported at prisons, more than 4,800 inmates were transferred between facilities, Department of Public Safety data show.
More than 1,100 inmates were transferred between April 12 and May 25, a period during which officials said they were sharply limiting transfers.
State prison officials say they’ve taken steps to lower the risk of spreading COVID-19 and significantly slowed transfers. Before the pandemic, about 1,100 inmates were transferred weekly.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the number of hospital beds in use as of Thursday. The article has been since been updated.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 7:04 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on June 19."
