3 Dead, More Than 760 Test Positive For Coronavirus In NC

CHARLOTTE, NC — The number of cases of novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, grew by well over 100 cases overnight and is now present in 60 counties in North Carolina, according to state public health officials. At least a third of the state’s documented COVID-19 cases are in Mecklenburg County, according to data.

As of Friday morning, there were at least 763 cases and three deaths reported in the state, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. In Mecklenburg County, public health officials said the number of cases rose to 259, up from 170 reported the day before.

According to NC DHHS data, the majority of COVID-19 cases — 47 percent — are affecting patients between 25 and 49 years of age.

Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for the entire state March 10. Since then, public schools throughout the state have been ordered closed through at least May 15, and Cooper has ordered a statewide ban on gatherings of more than 50 people and all dine-in service at restaurants and bars.

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in North Carolina. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.

Earlier this week, state public health officials announced the first two COVID-19 related deaths in the state. A Cabarrus County resident, who was in their late seventies and had several underlying health conditions, died March 24 due to complications from COVID-19, NC DHHS said.

A second person — a Virginia resident in their sixties traveling through North Carolina — also died in Cabarrus County from COVID-19 complications.

On March 25, Adrian Grubbs, a 37-year-old Harnett County man who worked as a trash collector in Raleigh, died.

“He was just a wonderful man,” his wife, Chanda Grubbs, told WNCN. His sudden death from COVID-19 has left her in disbelief, the station reported.

“Originally, I didn’t take it serious,” she said. “Until and then things like that hit close to home, you know? It’s a wake-up call.”

In a bid to help slow the spread of COVID-19, municipalities around the state have issued stay-at-home orders.

One such order was issued this week for all of Mecklenburg County. The order, which went into effect Thursday and will be in place until April 16,will be enforced by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Essential activities include those related to health and safety; to get necessary supplies; for outdoor activities, such as walking or running; for work for essential businesses and to take care of others, say county officials.

“Our job is to enforce this declaration here at CMPD, and we will. We will do it respectfully,” CMPD Chief Kerr Putney said Thursday morning. “We will do it professionally. Right now we’re encouraged because we’ve been dealing with this for weeks and we’re getting voluntary compliance. We don’t expect that to change.”

Police leadership say enforcement efforts will be focused on seeking voluntary compliance.

“The department does have the authority to issue citations or make misdemeanor arrests if all other efforts of voluntary efforts fail,” said CMPD Deputy Chief Jeff Estes.

“Let me be clear, officers will not be proactively stopping motorists or people to ask where they’re going, what their plans are, where they have been or where they work,” Estes said. “We won’t be coordinating check points on the roadways to question people about their activities. Our enforcement efforts will be complaint driven,” he said.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who has already issued a number of statewide orders related to the coronavirus, has been reluctant so-far to order a complete lockdown of the state as has been done in states like New York and California. Wednesday, however, he indicated that might soon change.

"Local communities are doing what they think is right, and I understand that," Cooper said Wednesday during a press conference. "It's important for us to make sure that we are deliberate and that we get this right. We're telling people now that we want them to stay home. ... And we will be issuing additional orders soon," the Charlotte Observer reported.

RELATED:

• Charlotte Police To Enforce Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Order
• NC Coronavirus: Waffle House Shuts 400-Plus Sites; 'Index' At Red
• NC Coronavirus: Mental Health Counselors See Patients Online
• Coronavirus Study: Here’s How Many NC Adults Are At Higher Risk
• NC Coronavirus: Here’s A List Of Grocery Stores Adjusting Hours
• Will Coronavirus Overwhelm NC Hospitals' Capacity?
• Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing Begins At Charlotte Motor Speedway
• President Trump Declares NC Major Disaster Over Coronavirus