Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on June 29
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We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
Cases top 63,000
At least 63,484 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 1,325 have died, according to state and county health officials.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday reported an additional 1,342 cases of the virus, down from 1,605 on Sunday. Three deaths were reported.
At least 843 North Carolinians were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday, down from 890 on Sunday.
On Monday, 75% of hospitals reported data to the state, compared to 78% Sunday.
Flexibility for school districts
North Carolina lawmakers have given school districts in the state more flexibility when it comes to using online learning methods during the upcoming school year.
The General Assembly last week unanimously passed a bill that allows school districts and charter schools to schedule additional remote learning days if needed for student health and safety. On Monday, Gov. Roy Cooper said he signed the bill into law.
All North Carolina schools closed and moved to remote instruction in mid-March due to the pandemic.
Superintendent Mark Johnson said the new law will help schools prepare for next year.
“We appreciate the General Assembly’s actions to ensure that our state’s educators and students have support to meet our schools’ critical needs during this pandemic,” Johnson said in a news release. “This is a challenging time for our students, educators and parents, and these funds will help us focus our efforts to meet their needs.”
New Yorkers to lose some benefits for NC visits
New York workers who travel to North Carolina won’t qualify for coronavirus paid sick leave.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order Friday removing the coronavirus protections for New York employees who, after June 25, voluntarily travel to a state with a high rate of coronavirus transmission — which includes North Carolina, McClatchy News reported Monday.
The order comes after Cuomo, along with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut, announced last week they’re requiring travelers from states with “significant community spread” of the virus to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in one of their three states.
Lt. governor calls some school options ‘nonsensical’
Lt. Gov. Dan Forest on Monday said some potential options for reopening North Carolina schools are “nonsensical.”
“To suggest that our kids need to go back wearing masks every day, and taking half days in school and filling up our buses halfway and all these things,” he said, according to The News & Observer. “That is, based on the information we have from around the world, that is nonsensical right now.”
Forest also told reporters he didn’t vote for the plans that are being considered and that North Carolina students should be allowed to return to schools.
His comments were made as Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to reveal details this week about the next academic year. The state earlier this month released guidance that included varied levels of social distancing, depending on how the state fares with coronavirus metrics.
Forest, a Republican, is running against Cooper, a Democrat, in the 2020 race for governor.
Positive tests remain high
Health officials on Monday reported completing an additional 14,400 coronavirus tests, for a total of 886,305. The percentage of positive tests on Monday was 9%.
The percentage of positive tests dropped from 10% on Sunday, according to state data.
The percentage is among the metrics used by state health officials to track the spread of the virus in North Carolina. Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, has said it should be closer to 5%.
Raleigh bars open despite orders, enforcement threatened
Several bars in Raleigh reopened Friday night, hours after a judge’s ruling to keep them closed.
Bars, among other businesses, are required to stay closed under Phase Two of North Carolina’s reopening plan, which last week the governor announced is extended for three weeks as coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and the percentage of positive tests remain high. A North Carolina judge denied a request from the N.C. Bar and Tavern Association to reopen.
Additionally, two lawsuits from bar owners seeking to reopen have been unsuccessful.
Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin on Saturday afternoon urged the opened bars to comply with the executive order.
“The bars are in violation of the governor’s executive order,” Baldwin said in a text message to The News & Observer. “I urge their compliance before more severe enforcement action is required.”
This story was originally published June 29, 2020 at 6:55 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on June 29."
