North Carolina Coronavirus Death Toll Reaches 80; 4,312 Positive

NORTH CAROLINA — More than 80 people have died in North Carolina after contracting the new coronavirus, public health officials reported Saturday.

There are now 4,312 cases of people who tested positive for coronavirus, up from 3,900 cases Friday, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

The state said 362 are currently hospitalized with the virus.

Mecklenburg County continues to be the hardest hit with 935 cases and 11 deaths while Wake County has seen 424 cases and no deaths.

Other counties surpassing 100 cases include Durham County (275 cases, one death), Cabarrus County (107 cases, one death), Forsyth County (112, four deaths), Guilford County, 134 cases, nine deaths), Orange County (141 cases, two deaths), Rowan County (105 cases, two deaths) and Union County (101 cases, one death).

Health officials said 80 percent of the deaths have occurred in those age 65 and older despite the fact that the largest age group to test positive for the virus is between the ages of 25 and 49 (40 percent).

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On Thursday, Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order for stronger social distancing requirements.

The order requires retail stores that are still operating to implement new social distancing policies to make shopping safer for customers and employees and makes earlier coronavirus guidelines mandatory for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. At the same time, the order called for speeding up the process for out-of-work residents to receive benefits.

“North Carolina continues to take strong action to slow the spread of COVID-19, and today’s order will help make stores safer, protect those living and working in nursing homes, and get more unemployment benefits out quicker. Our state is resilient, and we will get through this crisis together if we all do our part,” said Cooper.

Social Distancing In Retail Stores

The order offers clear requirements that essential businesses must implement to safeguard the health of customers and employees. They include:

• Setting limits on how many people can be in a store at one time (five people per 1,000 square feet of retail space or 20 percent of the fire marshal's posted occupancy limits)
• Marking 6 feet of distance for areas where people gather like checkout lines
• Requiring specific cleaning measures for retail stores

The order encourages:

• Implementing hygiene recommendations for employees and customers, like hand sanitizer at the doors and face coverings for workers
• Establishing designated shopping times designated for high-risk groups
• Creating barriers between customers and employees at checkout to lower the risk of required interactions

Lowering Risk In Long-Term Care Facilities

The order sets public health and safety requirements for nursing homes during the public health emergency and encourages other long-term care facilities to follow the same guidance.

Directives include:

• Canceling communal activities, including group meals
• Taking the temperature of employees and essential personnel when they enter the facility
• Requiring specific personal protective equipment in the facility
• Requiring close monitoring of residents for coronavirus health indicators like body temperature

Streamlining Unemployment Insurance Claims

The order makes it easier for employers to file a batch of claims, called an attached claim, on behalf of their employees. By temporarily eliminating some hurdles for employers, benefits can get in the hands of those who need them faster.

The order extends 60 days after the state of emergency is lifted to allow employers to get back on their feet.

Additionally, the Division of Employment Services issued information on the timing of federal benefits reaching North Carolinians.

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