Coronavirus in NC: Live updates for May 31, 2020

No large, rigorous scientific studies have found the drug, hydroxychloroquine, safe or effective for preventing or treating COVID-19, and some smaller studies have indicated worse outcomes from those taking the drug.

Brazil, now Latin America’s hardest-hit country, continues to see a surge in virus cases, and last week Trump announced that the U.S. was restricting travel from the country to prevent travelers from spreading the virus in the U.S.

The percentage of positive tests have increased slightly to 6.9 percent.

Governor Cooper encouraged all North Carolinians to honor June 1, 2020 as a Day of Mourning to grieve the 100,000 people in America, including almost 1,000 in North Carolina, who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

“I encourage North Carolinians to join in this moment of silence in honor of the people we have lost and their loved ones who are struggling in the wake of this cruel virus," he said.

“This is an opportunity to remind ourselves that our death count is not just a number, it represents people, communities and families in mourning,” said Cooper.

More than 100 leaders of faith-based organizations, including Christian, Jewish, and Muslim houses of worship from across the country are leading this national moment of silence on Monday, June 1 at 12 PM EST.

Governor Cooper will order all state flags to be lowered to half-staff in memory of those who passed from Coronavirus.

But health experts say many people with no or mild symptoms likely didn’t get tested and note that many died in residences for the elderly or in their own homes also without being tested for the virus. The latest figures from the health ministry come three days before Italy lifts a lockdown rule against travel for tourism between Italian regions and from most European countries.

Steve Arthur Robinette went into respiratory failure and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and evaluation. He was pronounced dead on Saturday, May 30 after testing positive for COVID-19 on May 25.

“I’m extremely concerned we are seeing mass gatherings,” Ms. Bottoms said. “We’re going to see the other side of this in a couple of weeks.”

A few months after he was born, Dom was diagnosed with Covid-19 at the Pro-Cardiaco hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

He spent 54 days in the hospital -- 32 of them in an induced coma and connected to a ventilator, Dom's father, Wagner Andrade, told CNN.

"He had some difficulty breathing so the doctors thought it was a bacterial infection," he said. "But the medication didn't work and he got worse. Then me and my wife decided to take him to a second hospital and they tested him. It was coronavirus."

His parents said it was a "miracle" he recovered.

Last week, President Donald Trump called on governors to reopen religious institutions, threatening to "override" governors if their states did not follow new guidance from the CDC. The president does not have the authority to "override" these requests, and not all governor's agree with the president's declaration and want to follow strict guidance from the CDC.

If churches do gather, the CDC has issued this guidance:

James Phillips, section chief of George Washington University Hospital's disaster and operational medicine, stresses the importance of protection during protests.

"This can be done in a relatively safe manner by trying to distance yourself and wearing those masks," he said. "It's important to remember, in the middle of a tinder box that is America right now and with all these protests taking place, we can't lose sight of the fact there's a deadly virus circulating and it can still spread."

What will stay closed? City-owned pools, playgrounds, splash pads and basketball and volleyball courts.

“North Carolinians need relief to help make ends meet during the pandemic,” said Governor Cooper. “Extending housing and utility protections will mean more people can stay in their homes and stay safe as we all work to slow the spread of this virus.”

“North Carolinians want to pay their rent, but for far too many people – through no fault of their own – that’s just not possible right now,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “We are in unprecedented times that call for unprecedented action. I support Gov. Roy Cooper's extension of the moratorium on evictions to ensure that people do not face homelessness in the midst of this health and economic crisis.”

The Council of State concurred on this Executive Order with no objections.