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Coronavirus coverage in North Carolina, March 21-22, 2020: 4 new coronavirus cases reported in the Triangle

Here are the latest updates on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in North Carolina and across the globe.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Here are the latest updates on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in North Carolina and across the globe:

What you need to know:

  • At least 306 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to data from state and county leaders.
  • More than 26,000 people in the U.S. are infected, and more than 300 people have died across the country.
  • Wake County ordered the closure of public playgrounds, gyms and salons and concert venues through April 30, at least. Greenways and trails remain open along with essential stores like pharmacies, grocery stores, banks and more.
  • Businesses that remain open are encouraged to take the temperatures of all employees and customers before allowing them in the building.
  • The State Department has warned all U.S. citizens not to travel internationally.
  • Governors in multiple states, not including North Carolina, have ordered all residents to remain at home aside from essential services. A report suggests 1 in 4 Americans are being asked to stay home.
  • Congress is working on a $1 trillion stimulus package for the battered economy, including $1,200 checks for families.
  • North Carolina schools remain closed, and bars and restaurants are restricted to takeout, delivery and drive-thru orders.
  • A toll-free Hope Line has been established for older adults experiencing isolation from social distancing. Call 1-866-578-4673 or 1-866-578-HOPE.

Important links:

Get details on NC cases:

Latest updates:

Sunday, March 22:
9:15 p.m.: A person tested positive for COVID-19 in Vance County, the county's first case of the disease.
8:15 p.m.: The U.S. Senate voted against advancing a nearly $2 trillion economic rescue package. Democrats argued the plan was tilted toward corporations and did too little to help workers and healthcare providers.

Negotiations continued on Capitol Hill.

7:15 p.m.: GoTriangle buses and ACCESS rides will go fare-free starting Monday. GoTriangle asks all riders who are able to enter and exit through the rear doors of buses.
6:34 p.m.: Three more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Wake County, officials said. That brings the county's total to 52 cases.

Officials said there are 54 people under investigation who were exposed to the novel coronavirus and have developed symptoms.

6:20 p.m.: A Durham County resident tested positive for COVID-19, the county said. The patient is the county's 41st resident to contract the virus.
5:55 p.m.: President Donald Trump said the country will "win the war" against the novel coronavirus.
5:05 p.m.: GoDurham buses and ACCESS rides will go fare-free starting Monday. GoDurham asks all riders who are able to enter through the rear doors of buses.
5:03 p.m.: The Town of Cary will close all playgrounds and restrooms starting 7 a.m. Monday. Greenways, trails and open space will remain open.
3:30 p.m.: To support their employees during the pandemic, Wegmans and Target are giving them a $2/hour raise.
3 p.m.: A senior resident at Sunrise of Raleigh, located at 4801 Edwards Mill Road, has tested positive for coronavirus. As a result, the senior community is keeping all residents inside their rooms, for dining and at all times, and is prohibiting visitors.

The condition of the resident was not provided.

Earlier this week, a resident at the Woodland Terrace senior community in Cary tested positive for coronavirus. That patient is in isolation.

Most people who are infected with COVID-19 recover from the virus, but senior citizens 65 and older any anyone with respiratory issues are most at risk.

2:30 p.m.: UNC Health and WakeMed are asking the public to donate medical supplies like surgical and N95 masks, disinfectant, hand soap, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves and other items. Click here for a full list.

The health providers want to have a surplus of supplies ready so they can handle the possibility of being overcome with patients.

2 p.m. According to Wake County leaders, businesses deemed "essential" can remain open, such as gas stations, pharmacies, post offices, supermarkets and hardware stores, healthcare providers, public safety and emergency services, banks, laundromats, public transportation, pet stores and home repair services. Businesses that must close include beauty and personal care salons and spas, fitness clubs, studios and large places like concert venues, conference centers, arenas, auditoriums and stadiums.

Retail businesses are recommended to screen their employees for fever and respiratory illness before entering a facility and to turn away anyone who is sick. Businesses must serve 50 people or fewer at a time and be able to ensure 6 feet of space between patrons and employees at all times.

1:30 p.m.: Rand Paul of Kentucky is the first U.S. senator to test positive for COVID-19. Paul is in quarantine at home, representatives say.
1 p.m.: Wake County leaders held a press conference to announce strict new guidelines that attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The guidelines, in effect through April 30 at least, include:

  • All grooming and wellness centers, including tattoo parlors, hair and nail salons, tanning beds, gyms and fitness clubs most close.
  • Mass gatherings of more than 50 people (indoors and outdoors) are banned.
  • Residents in nursing homes and similar facilities can only have one adult visitor per day. The visitor must be screened before they are allowed in the building.
  • All group activities at nursing homes should be canceled, and residents should be at least 6 feet from each other at all times, even while dining.
  • Public playgrounds are closed to families. People can continue using open spaces at parks, including greenways and trails while maintaining social distancing.
  • Retail stores and workplaces that remain open are encouraged to take customers' and employees' temperatures before they enter their buildings. Anyone with a fever of 100.4 or higher should be turned away.
12 p.m.: Playgrounds and fields in Raleigh and Wake Forest will close starting Monday, the municipalities announced.

Before the announcement, many parents with kids out of school were taking their children to the playground while trying to maintain social distancing.

11 a.m.: At least 291 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in North Carolina, according to numbers from state and county leaders. No coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in the state. Among those are new cases in Davie and Henderson counties.

The number of those infected is expected to grow as more people get tested.

10:30 a.m.: Southwest Airlines has canceled 1,000 of its almost 4,000 daily flights through April 14, the airline announced.
10 a.m.: Wake County leaders, including the county manager and those from the Board of Commissioners, Human Services will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. to discuss the local response to coronavirus. The livestream will be available here and on WRAL-TV.
9:30 a.m.: It's difficult to find toilet paper, and when many people run out, they are flushing paper towels, baby wipes, napkins and other items down the toilet and clogging pipes. The result has been a coast-to-coast surge in backed-up sewer lines and overflowing toilets, according to plumbers and public officials, who have pleaded with Americans to spare the nation’s pipes from further strain.
9 a.m.: Some Triangle gas stations, including one inside Mission Valley, are taking new precautions to help customers.
At the Mission Valley 66 service station, the staff pumps the gas for customers and disinfects the area to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.

Employees at another station said they are providing their employees with hand-sanitizing wipes but, as for as anything for customers, they’re on their own.

8:30 a.m.: A 7-month-old baby in South Carolina tested positive for COVID-19, his family says. The entire family is in quarantine.

The baby's mom said he woke up from a nap running a 104-degree fever. The baby is back at home and trying to recover. His 2-year-old and 4-year-old siblings are showing no signs of the virus.

8 a.m.: One in four Americans are being asked to stay home, The New York Times reports. With more than 26,000 people diagnosed in the U.S., governors in more states are pushing the same guidelines -- people should generally stay home unless they have an urgent need to go outside.
7:40 a.m.: Starting Monday, WakeMed, Duke and UNC hospitals will greatly restrict visitors. With very few exceptions, no visitors will be allowed in patient areas.
WakeMed's policies apply to all its facilities Duke's policies affect Duke University Hospital in Durham, Duke Regional Hospitals in Durham and Raleigh and Duke Raleigh Hospital.
UNC’s policies impact UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, UNC REX in Raleigh, Chatham Hospital, UNC Hillsborough and Johnston Health.
7:10 a.m.: In the last 24 hours, North Carolina has seen a 30% rise in the number of cases. More than 260 people have tested positive, and at least two of those cases are a result of community spread -- which means officials couldn't pinpoint the cause of the infection. So far, there have been no COVID-19 related deaths in North Carolina.

A Johns Hopkins report says the U.S. has the third most coronavirus cases in the world, with 26,747 testing positive. Italy takes second place, with more than 53,000, and China has had the most test positive, with more than 81,000.

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