Almost 2,600 Coronavirus Cases In NC, 31 Deaths Reported

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina health officials said Sunday there are now at least 2,585 cases of novel coronavirus in the state across 89 counties, as hospital beds begin to fill. As of Sunday morning, the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has been blamed for 31 deaths and 261 hospitalizations.

North Carolina's COVID-19 hotspot, Mecklenburg County, reported 664 cases, followed by Wake County with 304 cases and Durham County with 186 cases.

The cases tracked by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services include those that have been confirmed in a laboratory, and leave out a larger group of people, such as those with minimal or mild symptoms who were not tested, those who had symptoms but didn't seek medical care, those who sought medical care but were not tested and those with COVID-19 in whom the virus was not detected by testing.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said Sunday it has an urgent need for 1,000 face masks for staff involved in meal preparation and distribution for the children served.

The age group with the most coronavirus cases is 25 to 49 year olds with 41 percent of all cases, followed by 50 to 64 year olds with 28 percent of the cases and those 65 and older make up 21 percent of patients.

"Even though it is hard, many of us will be observing Palm Sunday and Easter week or Passover in our homes," Gov. Roy Cooper tweeted Sunday. "No matter where we are, or how difficult the path, faith and hope can sustain."

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Based upon a survey of almost 90 percent of North Carolina hospitals, about 20 percent of the state's current inventory of 3,014 ventilators are already in use by non-COVID 19 patients, NC DHSS said on Friday.

The number of North Carolina residents applying for first-time unemployment benefits was 170,881 for the week ended March 28, up nearly twofold from the prior week's record-breaking number of 94,083. That's an 82 percent increase in jobless claims as the effort to stop the spread of the new coronavirus shuts down many businesses in the state.

Last week, Cooper announced a new executive order that will prevent utility companies from shutting off service to customers for nonpayment for the next 60 days. The announcement comes as state residents continue to reel from the impacts of recent policies related to slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Under the new order announced Tuesday, utilities that provide water, gas, sewer, electricity and wastewater services are prohibited from disconnecting service due to lack of payment during the 60-day period, which Cooper said could be extended. While the order does not target phone, cable and internet providers, those companies are also "strongly urged to follow these same rules," Cooper said.

The order directs utility companies to give customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills without interest. It also encourages the delay of evictions and for banks to not charge overdraft fees.

"This action is particularly important since tomorrow is the first of the month, and I know that's a date many families fear when they can't make ends meet," Cooper said. "These protections will help families stay in their homes and keep vital services like electricity, water, and communications going as we Stay at Home."

The new executive order is one of many issued by Cooper in the past month. Cooper declared a state of emergency for the entire state March 10. Public schools throughout the state have been ordered closed through at least May 15. In addition, Cooper ordered a statewide ban on all dine-in service at restaurants and bars. As of Monday evening, all of North Carolina was under a 30-day "stay-at-home" order, which means residents are directed to stay in their homes unless they need to leave for essential activities, such as for jobs, food, medicine, outdoor exercise or to help others.

The order also bans gatherings of more than 10 people, and its directs residents stay at least six feet from each other. Essential services will be allowed to remain open.

State officials are targeting scammers and price gouging, according to North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.

As of March 31, the state had received 755 complaints of price gouging in the state, and each one will be reviewed, he said.

"We're working hard to raise awareness of scams relating to coronavirus, particularly those using robocalls," Stein said. "While the vast majority of folks in NC are rising to the occasion to help others, there are a few heartless criminals trying to exploit people's fears."

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