Some states that have reopened during pandemic aren't seeing spike in coronavirus infections

Several states are giving North Carolina a preview of coronavirus spread as restrictions are lifted in phases.

While it’s only a snapshot, state health leaders say they’re watching the impact of other states' actions as well as tracking results in North Carolina as business and social activities slowly resume.

Neighboring South Carolina started reopening retailers April 20. That week, the state tallied more than 1,100 new infections. With each subsequent week, the number of new cases has dropped, down to 990 projected cases this week.

Georgia has been more aggressive, allowing gyms and salons to open April 24, followed days later by theaters and restaurants. Yet, Georgia’s daily case numbers dropped steadily from 673 on May 1 to just over 300 this week. Those numbers are preliminary, however, as some test results may not be back yet.

Dr. Rodger MacArthur, an infectious disease physician at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, said the numbers show Georgia chose the right course of action.

"I think we made the right decision," MacArthur said. "I applaud our governor – he was criticized by some. It seems to have worked out. It is early ... it’s only been a week or two [and] a lot of individuals are still staying at home."

But Alun Lloyd, a mathematical biologist at North Carolina State University, said he believes it’s way too early to tell whether Georgia and South Carolina made the right call. He points to inconsistencies in other states that opened earlier.

"I think we need to be a bit careful," Lloyd said.

Case trends are down in Colorado, where retail opened with restrictions. Oklahoma, which even opened gyms and restaurants, is also going down. But Texas, which opened restaurants, retail, theaters and more with restrictions, has seen its average caseload increase.

"I think it’s a case of we need more time, but we also need some different sources of data – both data on numbers of cases, but also data on people's movement and behavior," Lloyd said.

Comparisons between states have many variables. Georgia and North Carolina are close in population, yet Georgia has more than twice the number of infections and has done 30 percent more tests.

Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, defended the state's slower reopen approach on Wednesday, saying the moves taken so far have prevented the sharp spike in cases seen in other states.