RALEIGH, N.C. — Here are the latest North Carolina coronavirus updates on cases and the pandemic’s impact on our health, jobs, schools and more:
What you need to know:
Where are infections, deaths in NC?
9:26 p.m.: Durham County health officials report four more COVID-19 cases there, bringing their total up to 876. Among those numbers are outbreaks at four long-term facilities: 111 at Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; 76 at Treyburn Rehabilitation Center; 5 at Durham Recovery Response Center; 2 at Hillcrest Convalescent Center.
6:52 p.m.: Tyson Foods reports that its fresh plant in Wilkesboro was idled Saturday and Monday for deep cleaning and sanitizing due to concerns over the coronavirus. Officials did not say whether there were cases of COVID-19 reported from employees. The plant is closed on Sundays.
Officials did say Matrix Medical "has been onsite this week conducting testing of team members and we expect all testing to be complete by Saturday night." Officials said there was no impact to the food service plant.
5:00 p.m.: The Department of Public Health reported 368 total positive COVID-19 cases involving Cumberland County residents, an increase of eight since Friday. Nine residents have died from complications associated with the coronavirus.
4:00 p.m.: Protesters are planning to gather outside Central Prison in Raleigh tonight. Officials said the protesters plan to meet at Dix Park at 5:15 p.m., then caravan over to the prison at 5:45 p.m.
Protesters plan to practice social distancing by remaining in their vehicles during the protest.
Officials said they aren’t sure of the head count yet, but say it could be between 10-20 cars and 20-40 people.
There was also a protest last night at Neuse Correctional.
3:00 p.m.: The federal government is sending out its first shipment of remdesivir, the drug to help COVID-19 patients recovering from the virus. Six states will receive small shipments of the drug -- Illinois, New Jersey, Michigan, Connecticut, Maryland and Iowa.
2:00 p.m.: Three children have died in New York with a syndrome that is linked to the coronavirus and more than 70 are ill. The children did not show the typical respiratory symptoms for the coronavirus but did test positive at the hospitals. A 5-year-old died in New York City with the new disease, which doctors described as a “pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome," according to the New York Times.
1:00 p.m.: A group of armed demonstrators gathered downtown Raleigh to stand for their first and second amendment rights. The group waved yellow "Don't Tread On Me" flags and wore patriotic attire as they marched downtown.
12:00 p.m.: In nursing homes and residential care facilities 319 people have died. Today, NC has seen 11 new deaths.
11:30 a.m.: At least one-third of all U.S. coronavirus deaths are from nursing homes, the New York Times reports. According to their database, over 25,000 residents and workers have died from the coronavirus at nursing homes. The virus so far has infected more than 143,000 at some 7,500 facilities.
9:30 a.m.: Doctors in Hong Kong announced yesterday that a triple drug therapy had promising affects when helping coronavirus patients recover. The three antiviral drugs, plus an immune booster, have success, according to the Hong Kong doctors. Right now, the only authorized treatment for COVID-19 is the drug Remdesivir, which helps speed up recovery. But, supply is limited. Gilead Sciences, the producer of the drug, says there is only enough of the drug for 200,000 patients
9 a.m.: Gatherings are still limited today to 10 people. Churches can resume services only if they hold church outside and remain social distancing. Restaurants dining rooms are still closed, but you can order takeout and delivery.
8:30 a.m.: More retailers are expected to open their doors on the first full day of Phase One of Gov. Cooper's plan to reopen the state. Non-essential stores started opening up shop already yesterday, but with social distancing set in place. The stores must be cleaned regularly. Some retailers said they even will go as far as to will wipe down hangers every time garments are removed from them in fitting rooms. Those businesses can only let in 50% of the amount of customers they usually do.
8 a.m.: The nation lost 20.5 million jobs just last month. That's the steepest loss in payroll since the Great Depression. Many of the jobs are likely to be recouped once states begin to open again.
7 a.m.: Our Savior Lutheran Church on Glenwood Avenue told WRAL News that they are hiring lawyers and demanding that Gov. Roy Cooper re-evaluate his stance on mass gatherings. The church claims that his stance goes against the first amendment and that they don't have the space or technical resources to hold services outdoors. Their attorney said he hopes to hear back from the governor on this request this Friday.
The church has been holding Sunday services indoors and in-person, against the guidelines under Gov. Roy Cooper's stay-at-home order. Other churches have been holding online streaming because of the order's ban on mass gatherings.
6 a.m.: State parks are slowly opening up today under Phase One of Gov. Cooper's plan to reopen the state. Forty state parks will reopen, like Jordan Lake, William B. Umstead State Park and the Eno River State Park.
State park officials say they expect "extreme overcrowding" after almost six weeks of NC residents having to stay at home. However, people crowding into the parks will create hazardous conditions.
"We're requesting that they recognize social distancing. We're requesting that they wear a face covering and also to wash and sanitize their hands as much as possible," Greenwood said.
They will open up today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Only groups of 10 or fewer will be allowed in at a time. Facilities -- like playgrounds and water fountains -- will remain closed in the parks for the time being. Some restrooms will be open.
What is still closed:
- Bars, theaters, music venues
- Salons and tattoo parlors
- Gyms, swimming pools and bowling alleys
- Sports requiring close contact
Some of these restrictions could be eased if Gov. Roy Cooper moved into Phase Two of the state's reopening, which could be put in place in 2 to 3 weeks.
