Cooper: No Decision Yet On Start Of Next Phase Of NC Reopening

NORTH CAROLINA — As North Carolinians acclimate to the first phase of easing restrictions throughout the state this week, the timeline for the next steps in reopening the state remains unclear as the state reports it's largest daily spike in the number of novel coronavirus cases yet.

North Carolina's current 14-day "Phase 1" easing of restrictions is set to expire at 5 p.m. on May 22, however no decision has been made yet about when to begin the next phase, Gov. Roy Cooper said Thursday afternoon.

"Our COVID-19 decisions are guided by the data and science," Cooper said. "We will use the time in this phase to keep a careful eye on the indicators before we're ready to announce the start of Phase 2."

Should the state move into the next phase of easing restrictions later next week, it would coincide with Memorial Day weekend and would mark a significant change in the state's stance toward curtailing the spread of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.

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In Phase 2, the stay-at-home order would be lifted. Restaurants, bars, gyms and personal care services like salons and barbers would be allowed to operate with limits and safety protocol requirements. Gatherings at churches and entertainment venues would be allowed at reduced capacity, and public playgrounds would reopen. State officials are also considering allowing community and neighborhood pools to reopen.

State public health officials have said the decision about advancing into "Phase 2" will be based upon a 14-day span of trends in the numbers of COVID-like syndromic cases, lab confirmed cases, positive tests as a percentage of total tests and hospitalizations.

"We can't look at any one of these metrics in isolation," said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen. "They all have limitations."

SEE ALSO: 691 Coronavirus Cases Confirmed In A Day: NC's Biggest Jump Yet

In North Carolina, the trend lines haven't included sharp peaks such as those experienced in other states, say state public health officials.

"We aren't seeing a significant downward trajectory on most metrics largely because we were successful in preventing a sharp peak in the first place," Cohen said.

The number of people going to emergency rooms with COVID-19 like symptoms continues to decline and hospitalizations are leveling, however the number of new cases confirmed in the state is increasing, she said.

On Thursday, for example, North Carolina reported 691 new cases confirmed throughout the state since Wednesday, it's largest day-to-day increase recorded yet.

"When you look at our seven-day rolling average, we look like we're beginning to level," Cohen said. "We've been doing a lot more testing so the fact that we're seeing a slight increase in cases is expected."

Fewer than 25 percent of the new cases are occurring in congregate living settings, such as nursing homes and correctional facilities, which confirms the virus continues to circulate throughout communities, officials say.

As more tests are being administered, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in comparison to all tests administered is decreasing and beginning to level, Cohen said. "While we're seeing slightly more positive cases overall with the increase in testing, the percent positive continues to look good."

Thursday a group of conservative Christians filed a lawsuit against Cooper, saying the current stay-at-home order that prevents mass gatherings of more than 10 people at a time violate the freedom to worship.

When asked about the lawsuit during a press briefing Thursday, Cooper said he had not yet read it.

"Regardless of executive orders, I would urge every congregation to pause and consider whether indoor services are the right thing to do right now for their members," Cooper said, citing the ease in which the virus spreads when people are indoors, and in proximity for more than 10 minutes.

"Let's look at the bottom line here," Cooper said. "We don't want our churches to become hotspots for this virus."

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