Coronavirus Outbreaks Reported At 63 NC Nursing Homes

NORTH CAROLINA — The number of known cases of novel coronavirus in North Carolina rose by nearly 300 since Sunday, according to state public health officials. As of Monday morning, the state tally reached 15,045 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, 281 more cases than reported Sunday. Three new deaths were also reported overnight, increasing the death count to 550.

The spread of COVID-19 in congregate living facilities throughout the state also increased over the weekend by 83 cases to 3,697 confirmed cases now present in outbreaks in 63 nursing homes, 23 residential care facilities and 17 correctional facilities, according to data released by NC Department of Health and Human Services.

Congregate living facilities, such as nursing homes, residential care facilities and correctional facilities, account for about a quarter of the confirmed coronavirus cases in the state but claim more than 60 percent of North Carolina's COVID-19 deaths.

As of Monday morning, there were 464 people hospitalized with coronavirus-related illness. While the number is 22 more than reported Sunday, hospitalizations dropped significantly over the weekend in North Carolina, decreasing from 513 hospitalizations reported Saturday.

A growing number of reported cases is expected because North Carolina's testing is increasing. The state collected results from 3,730 tests on Monday. The state's goal is to test between 5,000 and 7,000 people per day.

Mecklenburg County continues to report the most number of positive cases. As of Monday, 2,134 people in the county had tested positive and 62 people have died from COVID-19.

The other area with high numbers of positive cases is the Research Triangle where Wake County reported 1,048 positive cases and 23 deaths as of Monday. Durham County had the next most positive cases in the state, at 873. As of Monday, 32 people in Durham County had died from COVID-19.

Wayne County, with a relatively small population compared to the other North Carolina counties in the top five of positive cases, has 752 people who have tested positive for the coronavirus and 13 deaths.

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Eased stay-at-home restrictions went into effect Friday at 5 p.m. They include opening the capacity of retail businesses from 20 percent to 50 percent capacity; opening child-care centers for unemployed residents who are looking for work; and encouraging residents to get outdoors and enjoy hiking and jogging at state parks and trails.

Bars and restaurants are still restricted to takeout and delivery, and personal care services, theaters and music venues, gyms and playgrounds remain closed.

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