Mecklenburg County has been supplied only three test kits from the state for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, the public health director for the county of more than 1 million people said Friday.

“We were sent three tests and we were told that after you use those, we’ll send three more,” health director Gibbie Harris told reporters. She added: “Unfortunately in this country, we’re behind in our ability to test.”

Each kit contains two tests, health officials later said. Hospitals and private labs also have testing capability. Tryon Medical Partners, which serves more than 130,000 Mecklenburg residents, said Friday that it has more than 300 tests on hand and has been testing patients from their cars.

Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, told reporters that only people who have a fever, a cough and have tested negative for the flu need to be tested.

“There have been issues in testing and the supply of them, but at no time did that limit testing when (patients) met that clinical criteria,” she said.

Harris reported no new positive results for the virus from Mecklenburg County. But in light of the limited test availability, she urged those who don’t display symptoms of the virus not to seek tests.

“Please don’t just show up asking for a test, “ she said. “That puts all our health care providers at risk.”

Fifteen coronavirus cases, including one in Mecklenburg County and one in Cabarrus County, have been reported statewide, the state Department of Health and Human Services said Friday morning. In addition, a 16th case has been reported on the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in Onslow County.

Two people tested positive in Mecklenburg, but one lives in Cabarrus. The Observer had earlier reported that three people from the two counties had tested positive. Both Mecklenburg and Cabarrus had announced the same case, officials said Friday.

All other tests — Harris couldn’t cite the number — were negative, she said. All clinicians now have the ability to test patients by sending samples to a commercial lab, she said, so the county doesn’t know the total number tested.

Postponements across civic life in the Charlotte region mounted Friday in step with the spread of the virus.

In a decision that will affect thousands of cases, North Carolina’s chief justice announced Friday that most proceedings in district and superior courts will be delayed for 30 days. Courthouses will stay open, but most of the system’s 7,000 employees will be urged to work at home if possible.

Carowinds said Friday that the amusement park south of Charlotte will postpone its opening from March 21 until April 3.

American Airlines, Charlotte’s dominant carrier, dropped more international flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, following a suspension of flights Friday to and from Frankfurt and Munich. The decision followed President Trump’s 30-day ban on most Europeans entering the U.S.

The CDC says closing schools for two to three weeks has little impact on slowing down the spread of the virus, Harris said. They would have to close for much longer to have any effect.

Three Raleigh-area public school systems on Thursday announced plans to close temporarily due to the spread of coronavirus. Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Durham County and Orange County schools said they would keep students home starting Monday.

Potential for ‘community spread’

Harris had warned Thursday that the county now faces the potential for “community spread” of the virus. That happens when people in an area are infected, but officials can’t identify the sources of individual infections.

“Please don’t go to work if you are ill. Please don’t send your kids to school if they are ill,” Harris said.

The county has recommended that older adult, long-term care facilities restrict visitors. The county is also recommending that people over 65 avoid any type of mass gathering, including church services.

Both Mecklenburg cases are isolated incidents, the county said, and both people are self-isolating at home. One case may be related to out-of-country travel and the other to out-of-state travel, health officials said.

The Cabarrus County case was identified as presumptive positive by Cabarrus Health Alliance, the county’s public health authority. The person has symptoms of COVID-19 after international travel, according to the health alliance.

Halt large gatherings, state says

Gov. Roy Cooper and N.C. health officials, meanwhile, say large gatherings of 100 or more people should be canceled or postponed to reduce health risks.

That includes sporting events, conferences and concerts, Cohen said during a Thursday afternoon press conference.

The 100-person threshold is based on guidance from the CDC, Cooper said.

“We expect people to abide by this guidance,” Cooper said Thursday, adding if people don’t, officials can issue orders. “We believe the people of North Carolina are going to cooperate.”

Officials also urged employers to allow staff to work remotely or stagger shifts as possible, and said sick employees should stay home.

COVID-19, or Coronavirus Disease 2019, is an illness caused by a new type of coronavirus that appeared late last year. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to pneumonia.

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 12:18 PM.