RALEIGH, N.C. — Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus from North Carolina and across the globe showing the pandemic’s impact on health, jobs, schools and more:
At least 17,221 people in 99 North Carolina counties have tested positive for the coronavirus, at least 661 people have died and another 520 or so remain in the hospital. More than 9,100 have reportedly recovered from COVID-19, the illness associated with the virus.
Latest updates
9:26 p.m.: Dreamville Festival officials said they will not be holding this year's event due to the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement on its website, organizers said:
"After much deliberation and careful monitoring of the current situation, we have decided to cancel Dreamville Festival 2020. Although we originally hoped it would be possible to bring you the festival this August, the ongoing uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic has made this timeline no longer possible. This decision has been extremely difficult to make, but the safety of our fans, artists, and staff is always our top priority, and nothing will ever take precedence over your well-being.
"All 2020 event ticket holders, including those that previously requested a refund, will be automatically refunded on, or before May 22nd, and it will take 7-10 days for the funds to be returned to your original method of payment if you purchased your tickets through Front Gate Tickets. We understand that this is a difficult time for many and sincerely apologize to those who were waiting on their refund as we worked through unforeseen delays in processing due to the pandemic.
"If you purchased a physical ticket through an official street team member, retail outlet, or military sale, you must request a refund by filling out the form.
"Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this. Please stay safe, healthy, and sane so we can reunite with you in 2021."
Refund information can be found at DreamvilleFest.com.
9:01 p.m.: Amazon spokesperson Timothy Carter confirmed to WRAL that two workers at the company's Durham location have tested positive for COVID-19. There were no details on when the workers contracted the virus.
"We are supporting the individuals who are recovering. Our top concern is ensuring the health and safety of our employees, and we expect to invest approximately $4 billion from April to June on COVID-related initiatives to get products to customers and keep employees safe. This includes spending more than $800 million in the first half of the year on COVID-19 safety measures, with investments in personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning of our facilities, less efficient process paths that better allow for effective social distancing, higher wages for hourly teams, and developing our own COVID-19 testing capabilities, etc."
7:20 p.m.: The U.S. House has changed its rules because of the pandemic to allow remote voting for the first time in its 231-year history, according to The Washington Post.
Democratic leaders say the changes are temporary as the House tries to balance its constitutional responsibility with health risks related to the coronavirus. The changes would allow proxy voting for roll-call votes in the House and permit members to participate in committee hearings remotely.
6:35 p.m.: J.C. Penney has files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, becoming latest retail casualty of pandemic, according to The Associated Press.
6:20 p.m.: NFL teams can begin reopening their facilities on Tuesday if state and local governments will allow it, according to The Associated Press.
5:40 p.m.: While Americans say social distancing is important, it appears that fewer are following those guidelines. A new Gallup poll found that 48 percent of Americans say they are completely or mostly isolating themselves, down 17 points since late March as more states relax their stay-at-home orders.
Social distancing was at it's highest, 75 percent of respondents, between March 30 and April 4.
5:30 p.m.: The pandemic isn't hurting all businesses. Home leisure stores that provide pools, spas and patio furniture say they're seeing a big boost in sales.
5:20 p.m.: A new study suggests that talking loudly may further spread the coronavirus. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health found a single minute of loud speaking could generate more than 1,000 droplets that could carry the virus and remain airborne between eight and 14 minutes.
Scientists say talking at a normal level in an enclosed space may also increase the risk of viral spread.
4:55 p.m.: Patients with COVID-19 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center could start receiving remdesivir treatments next week, officials said.
Gilead Sciences, which developed the anti-viral drug that has shown promise against COVID-19, donated 607,000 vials of remdesivir for use across the U.S. Cape Fear Valley’s allocation is based on the health system’s percentage of the overall number of hospitalized COVID patients in North Carolina, officials said.
Hospitals receiving remdesivir must assess and document that patients meet certain criteria.
4:50 p.m.: A childcare center in Lee County will be closed for two weeks after two people there tested positive for coronavirus. Health department officials have closed the Child Care Network Center on Washington Avenue in Sanford.
The center's director said it has been open to care for the children of first responders. A corporate spokesperson said the center would reopen May 26.
4:20 p.m.: President Donald Trump has named new members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, including Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Labor Secretary Gene Scalia, national Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins, FDA Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Dr. Peter marks and Thomas Engels, administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration.
"The new members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force will add expertise in the fields of vaccines and therapeutics, as well as worker safety, as the task force renews its focus on getting Americans back to work," Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement.
4:10 p.m.: Rentals of recreational vehicles are up, as people are shifting their approach to travel during the pandemic. Many people in the medical field also are usng RVs to isolate from their families and avoid spreading coronavirus to their loved ones.
RV Share said it achieved the highest booking numbers in company history, with a 650 percent rise since early April.
4 p.m.: Ten of the 11 latest coronavirus-related deaths in Chatham County were residents of The Laurels of Chatham nursing home in Pittsboro, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. Nineteen residents there have now died of the virus, which has infected 69 residents and 39 staffers total.
3:50 p.m.: Brooks Brothers is closing its shirt plant in the Sampson County town of Garland by July 20 because of the pandemic, putting 146 people out of work.
The company said in March it would shift production from dress shirts to make masks and gowns for health care providers and first responders.
2:15 p.m.: State officials have laid out guidance for how overnight summer camps can operate during the pandemic, said Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services.
2:10 p.m.: Protective gear was distributed Friday to 3,800 long-term care facilities across North Carolina, state Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry said.
2 p.m.: State officials want to test more people for coronavirus and is advising a list of people who should be tested to do so. Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, cited the following list:
- Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
- Close contacts of known positive cases, regardless of symptoms
- People who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings, such as a long-term care facility, a homeless shelter, a correctional facility or a migrant farm worker camp
- People who are at high risk of severe illness, such as those age 65 or older or anyone with underlying health conditions
- Health care workers or first responders
- Front-line and essential workers in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain, such as grocery store clerks and gas station attendants
"We want anyone who needs a test to get one," Cohen said.
12:50 p.m.: A Navy hospital ship docked in Los Angeles is leaving after assisting during the coronavirus pandemic.The USNS Mercy was sent to Los Angeles to help treat non-coronavirus patients and ease the burden on land-based hospitals.
Although the naval ship is departing, about 60 members of its medical staff will move to nursing facilities in Southern California to provide help.
12:45 p.m.: President Donald Trump said his administration is dedicating $10 billion to the development of a coronavirus vaccine through "Operation Warp Speed." He said he hopes to have a vaccine ready for distribution to the public by the end of the year.
So far, 14 promising candidates have been identified, and researchers are working quickly to narrow that list, Trump said. Moncef Slaoui, the ex-head of GlaxoSmithKline's vaccines division, will lead the effort, alongside four-star Army Gen. Gustave Perna.
"We're gearing up. It's risky, it's expensive, but we'll be saving massive amounts of time," Trump said.
12:30 p.m.: Nearly half the people who work for Carnival Cruises in Florida are losing their jobs – 820 have been laid off, and another 537 are furloughed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a "no sail" order in effect through July 24. Also, cruise lines like Carnival were cut out of the federal stimulus package because their ships aren't registered in the U.S.
12:20 p.m.: The pandemic is forcing airports to change their screening operations, which might require passengers to arrive even earlier for their flights.
Additional safety measures may include disinfectant tunnels – structures that spray sanitizer onto passengers and their bags – and so-called "bingo boarding" in which individual passengers are called by by seat number to avoid lines and crowding while boarding before takeoff.
The Transportation Security Adminisatration will also provide gloves to travelers if requested and allow 12-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer in carry-on bags.
12:10 p.m.: World Relief Durham is asking U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement to release all non-violent immigrant detainees being held in two Georgia facilities. The group said vulnerable populations like immigrant detainees are especially at risk of coronavirus infection, and they have gotten reports of unsafe conditions in the detention facilities. At the end of April, one facility reportedly held 12 immigrants and 44 staff who had tested positive, the group said.
11:45 a.m.: There will be no sunflowers at Dix Park this summer. Raleigh officials said Friday that sunflowers won't will be planted in the 5-acre field because of social distancing requirements during the coronavirus pandemic.
"With the health and safety of the community as top priority and no way to limit the number of people visiting the iconic Raleigh sunflowers at any given time, the decision was made not to move forward with planting this year," officials said in a statement.
Dix Park’s annual SunFest summer festival, planned for July, is also canceled.
11:40 a.m.: Most Wake County transit projects scheduled for the 2020-21 fiscal year, which starts in July, will likely be put on hold because the pandemic is cutting int the tax revenue needed to pay for them, officials said Friday.
Local voters approved a half-cent sales tax in 2016 to invest in Wake Transit improvements, but stay-at-home orders have limited people's purchases for weeks and are likely to continue affecting spending habits in the coming months.
"Only the new projects that address pressing needs or that have other committed funds are recommended to move forward in July," Shannon Cox, chair of the Wake County Transit Planning Advisory Committee and long-range planning manager for Apex, said in a statement.
The projects recommended to proceed include developing the New Bern Avenue bus rapid transit corridor and additional bus service on GoRaleigh’s Route 21.
11:35 p.m.: The number of coronavirus deaths in Chatham County has more than doubled, from 11 to 24. It wasn't immediately clear if the latest deaths are tied to a long-term care facility with a virus outbreak.
There are some differences between Durham's order and the statewide order, which multiple counties, including Wake County, are using. Orders issued by individual counties or municipalities override state orders.
While North Carolina residents are encouraged to wear face coverings in public, the practice is not mandated. In Durham, people are required to wear masks or coverings. Schewel said most people are complying and wearing masks, and he believes it is making a difference in slowing the spread.
While Wake County and the entire state allowed gatherings of 10 or less, Durham's original order allowed only small gatherings of five people. Effective at 5 p.m., groups of 10 or under will be allowed, as long as they practice social distancing.
The statewide order only allows larger gatherings for certain exceptions, like funerals, in which 50 people can gather. Under Durham's order, only 25 can gather at funerals.
Durham has adopted North Carolina's guidance on church and worship. No more than 10 people can worship together inside, but groups can gather for outdoor services as long as they socially distance.
11:15 a.m.: Johnston County Schools announced its high schools will host “modified” traditional graduation ceremonies between July 29 and Aug. 1. The in-person ceremonies will adhere to social distancing guidelines.
11:05 a.m.: UNC-Wilmington has decided to cancel all of its athletic summer camps through July 29.
11 a.m.: Nearly one-third of small-business owners are dipping into their personal savings to finance their businesses, reported one of the country’s fastest growing banks, Wilmington-based Live Oak Bank, in its quarterly business report BusinessPulse.
Meanwhile, more than 70 percent of businesses are also reporting negative sales impact – with half of small businesses report supply chain interruptions,
WRAL TechWire reports. The increase in credit demand comes even as the U.S. is awarding more than $600 billion in loans to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Plan.
10:30 a.m.: Wake County high schools will be able to host virtual and in-person celebrations for the graduating Class of 2020, but it's up to each principal to plan each school's celebration, the Wake County Public School System announced. In-person graduations must follow health and safety guidelines outlined by the state and, while delayed, will be held as close to the original graduation date as possible.
10 a.m.: The Childcare Network in Sanford has temporarily closed due to two confirmed coronavirus cases, with a planned reopening date of May 26. The childcare system is currently utilizing temperature checks, screening procedures, enhanced cleaning processes and restrictions for building access. The building will undergo a deep cleaning in preparation for reopening.
9:50 a.m.: The owner of Koket boutique in Lafayette Village in Raleigh said her business is still struggling. Since restaurants in the shopping center are still closed, there is much less traffic in her store.
9:45 a.m.: The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., is planning to reopen retail stores on June 1, although dine-in restaurants and attractions will remain closed. The announcement comes after the Minnesota governor announced retail businesses could reopen on May 18 with restrictions. The mall says not all stores will open immediately.
9:30 a.m.: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has extended stay-at-home restrictions until June 13 for the most populous regions of the state.
9:15 a.m.: Restaurants relying on delivery apps to reach customers say it’s cutting into their bottom line. Now some cities, including San Francisco, are putting caps on the fees the apps charge businesses.
9 a.m.: Bill Leslie recently visited Lake Johnson for a walk and found it difficult to practice social distancing on the trail.
His blogpost struck a nerve in readers, and he received dozens of emails from walkers describing their own experiences. The biggest complaint? People aren't moving out of the way for fellow walkers, joggers and bikers.
8:30 a.m.: The pandemic sent U.S. retail sales plummeting 16 percent in April, and clothes and accessories sales were down 78 percent, the lowest on record. "Non-essential" businesses are open in North Carolina, but with social distancing and reduced capacity in place, things are not back to normal.
8 a.m.: Americans are drinking more during the pandemic, according to Bactrack, a company that makes personal breathalyzers. The day after stay-at-home orders went into effect, people's blood-alcohol numbers "skyrocketed," according to the study. Americans are also drinking more during the work week, a trend that's likely to continue as more companies extend work-from-home policies.
7:45 a.m.: Sylvia Goldsholl, 108, may be one of the oldest people in the world to recover from coronavirus. The New Jersey woman tested positive in March and was moved to the COVID-19 isolation wing at the Allendale Community for Senior Living, where she's lived since 2007.
7 a.m.: North Carolina beaches are open but most have some restrictions in place. Per the statewide order, people should not gather in groups greater than 10. Normal recreational activities are allowed on most beaches, except Wrightsville Beach, which is open for exercise and water sports only. Parking lots, bathrooms and some rentals and hotels may be closed.
6:45 a.m.: A pair of country music superstars won't be visiting Raleigh this year due to the pandemic. Kenny Chesney and Florida Georgia Line just postponed their 2020 tour. The powerhouse team was set to perform at Coastal Credit Union Music Park on June 4. The rescheduled tour will now happen next year. Tickets for the previously scheduled show will be honored.
6:15 a.m.: The pandemic may lead to the cancellation of more than 28 million elective surgeries this year. Researchers used information from surgeons in 71 countries to project more than 70 percent of planned operations will be canceled. This could impact more than 2 million cancer patients.
6 a.m.: The U.S. House is expected to vote Friday on a bill that will provide another round of stimulus checks for Americans. This new legislation removes the requirement of a Social Security number, meaning immigrants who file with a taxpayer identification number could get money. It also extends unemployment benefits and provides funding for testing and hazard pay. At $3 trillion, this is the largest relief package in history.
5:45 a.m.: The Carlie C's store at 721 Brightleaf Blvd. in Smithfield will host a chicken sale Friday featuring poultry from House of Raeford Farms. The sale starts at 9 a.m., and customers can get 40 pounds of thighs or drumsticks for $24.95.
5:30 a.m.: The CDC is issuing new guidelines on how various institutions can safely reopen. The agency provided
checklists on its website for schools, workplaces, bars, camps, childcare programs and mass transit systems. It involves social distancing and cleaning practices. If the institution answers no to any questions on the checklist, then they should not reopen.
5 a.m.: State lawmakers will return to session on Monday. Everyone should expect temperature checks when they enter the building, and the maximum capacity will be half of the occupancy limit.
4:45 a.m.: Beaches in New Jersey will reopen in time for Memorial Day. The state's governor says beach towns can begin to let people back next Friday with some restrictions. There are limits on capacity and no special events like fireworks or concerts. Playgrounds, arcades, rides and picnic areas will remain closed.
4:30 a.m.: Orange County has created a Pet Food Assistance Program to help families during this pandemic. The program is open to people living in Orange County who've lost their income and are in need of pet food. People can apply on the county's website.
4:15 a.m.: Amazon will start mass-producing face shields. The company says it will prioritize the masks for frontline workers and will sell them on Amazon.com. As Amazon produces more, it will make the masks available to everyone. Amazon engineers worked with a 3-D printing group to develop the shields.
