Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 13
Please click here for the March 14 updates.
We’re tracking the most up-to-date information about coronavirus in North Carolina. Check back for updates.
University students in self-quarantine
Three graduate students at Duke University tested positive for the coronavirus while traveling abroad, the university said in a news release Friday.
“They are receiving treatment outside of the United States and will remain overseas until they have recovered,” the release states. “Duke physicians have been in touch with the students and they are all in good condition.”
Other students traveling with them who already returned to Durham are in self-isolation off campus, the university said.
They will remain under medical supervision.
Court cases delayed
Most North Carolina court cases will be put off for a minimum of 30 days, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley said Friday.
The pause goes into effect Monday and will impact many cases and hearings in superior and district courts. But juvenile cases, emergency proceedings, and “constitutionally protected” hearings will still go on, The News & Observer reported.
“We will be doing our part to help slow the spread of coronavirus,” Beasley said.
16 cases reported
North Carolina officials on Thursday announced additional coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total to 16.
One of the new patients was in Wake County, where another seven people previously tested presumptively positive for COVID-19, the county said in a news release.
Two more cases were in the Charlotte area: one in Mecklenburg County and one in Cabarrus County.
Also, two cases were reported in Forsyth County, one in Johnston County and one in Onslow County, on the Camp Lejeune military base.
Previously, one Chatham County resident and one Durham County resident had also tested positive for the disease, though the Durham patient tested positive out of state.
A person in Wayne County tested presumptively positive for COVID-19 on Friday and is being quarantined at home, county officials said in a news release. But the case has not been been included in the state’s official count yet.
Correction: An earlier version of this story overstated the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the Charlotte area.
School closures announced
Three Triangle-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.
Testing supplies needed
North Carolina officials loosened testing requirements for coronavirus, The News & Observer reported Thursday.
“The biggest problem, the state’s top health official said, is a lack of supplies needed to conduct the tests,” The N&O reported. “North Carolina’s state lab has enough supplies to test 700 people.”
But the state as of Thursday was awaiting 900 tests from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
College basketball is over
The ACC basketball tournament is canceled. So is March Madness.
Do you have questions about the coronavirus? The News & Observer will get the answers for you. Go to bit.ly/virusnc and let us know what you need to know.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 8:22 AM with the headline "Coronavirus live updates: Here’s what to know in North Carolina on March 13."
