CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Here is a roundup of what’s happening so far today, June 8, surrounding COVID-19 in both North Carolina and South Carolina (Click here for more coverage from the weekend). Scroll below for live, local real-time minute-by-minute updates.
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[COUNTY-BY-COUNTY COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE]
[CORONAVIRUS IN THE CAROLINAS; HERE’S HOW TO STAY INFORMED]
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- The number of cases across North Carolina reached 36,484 on Monday. North Carolina is now reporting 1,006 deaths, 520,113 completed tests and 739 people currently in the hospital.
- Novant Health will lift some visitor restrictions on June 8.
- This local manufacturer is one of the nation’s largest federal COVID-19 contractors.
- A North Carolina auto race drew thousands of spectators after dubbing itself a ‘protest.’
- A Durham second-grader has died after her fight with COVID-19.
- Chesterfield County’s sheriff and chief deputy have test positive for COVID-19.
- NC legislators aiming to reopen gyms, health clubs despite Cooper order.
- Cooper’s COVID-19 order directs efforts to fix NC racial disparity.
- Gov. Roy Cooper and the state’s coronavirus task force announced the state moved into a “safer-at-home” plan on May 22.
- Gov. Henry McMaster lifted the home or work order in South Carolina on May 1.
Live, local updates from Monday:
South Carolina Announces Latest COVID-19 Update
SCDHEC today announced 542 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and 11 additional deaths. This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 14,800 and those who have died to 557.
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NC Designates Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services Workers as Emergency First Responders
Today, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced that child protective services and adult protective services workers are designated as first responders. This classification will help these critical workers access Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed while working in situations that require face-to-face contact with adults, children and families amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Face-to-face contact is often essential for child protective services and adult protective services work,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “This designation will help these emergency workers have the tools they need to stay safe while continuing to serve vulnerable children, adults and families.”
Child protective services and adult protective services are essential to protecting children and adults who are suspected or who have been found to be abused, neglected or exploited. These essential workers need access to complete information to effectively access child and adult safety and well-being. In many cases, the firsthand observation needed to obtain this information requires face-to-face contact with children, adults and families.
The new designation for child protective services and adult protective services workers is in addition to other measures intended to limit face-to-face contacts to the extent possible or conduct visits virtually.
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NC hits new single-day high for COVID-19 hospitalizations as state tops more than 1,000 deaths
North Carolina hit a record high of hospitalizations with 739 people currently in the hospital with severe COVID-19 symptoms. To date, 25% of hospital inpatient beds and 14% of intensive care unit beds are available, with 77% percent of hospitals in the state reporting.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 938 new cases in the past 24 hours, along with 8,887 completed tests Monday, with 10% of tests currently positive. Ten more people have died, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,006.
The additional 938 new COVID-19 cases bring the state’s total to 36,484, while the 8,887 completed tests bring the total number of completed tests in the state to 520,113.
Mecklenburg County continues to lead the state in both cases and deaths with at least 5,682 and 110 respectively.
Confirmed cases by age:
0-17 (8%)
18-24 (11%)
25-49 (45%)
50-64 (21%)
65-74 (7%)
75 or older (8%)
COVID-19 deaths by age:
25-49 (4%)
50-64 (12%)
65-74 (20%)
75 or older (63%)
Cases by race:
White: 54%
Black: 27%
Cases by gender:
Women: 51%
Men: 49%
(Men account for 52% of deaths)
Cases and deaths in congregate living settings:
There are 96 outbreaks in nursing homes across the state, resulting in 3,611 cases and 534 deaths.
There are 49 outbreaks at residential care facilities across the state, resulting in 917 cases and 77 deaths.
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Scam Alert: COVID Contact Tracing Inspires Copycat Scams
Public health officials are rolling out COVID-19 contact tracing programs to help slow the spread of the disease by informing people who have had contact with someone who has tested positive. Now, scammers are finding nefarious ways to use these efforts for their personal gain.
How the Scam Works:
You receive an unsolicited message via text, email, or a social media messenger. The message explains that you’ve come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The message instructs you to self-isolate and provides a link for more information. Alarmed, you are tempted to click and get more details. But don’t fall for it! These links can contain malware that downloads to your device.
Another version of this scam involves a robocall claiming to be part of “contact and tracing efforts.” Again, the call informs you that you’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. After electing to speak to a representative, the “contact tracer” asks you to verify personal information. This starts with questions about your full name and date of birth, but can quickly move to Personally Identifying Information (PII) and/or financial accounts. While contact tracers do normally reach out by phone, be sure to hang up if the caller doesn’t meet the guidelines described below.
How to tell a real contact tracer from a scam:
● Contact tracers will ask you to confirm your identity, but not for financial information. Tracers will ask you to confirm your name, address, and date of birth. In most cases, they will already have this information on file. They will also ask about your current health, medical history, and recent travels. They will not ask for any government ID numbers or bank account details.
● Contact tracers will identify themselves. The call should start with the tracer providing their name and identifying themself as calling from the department of health or another official team.
● Contact tracing is normally done by phone call. Be extra wary of social media messages or texts.
● A real contact tracer will never reveal the identity of the person who tested positive. If they provide a person’s name, you know it’s a scam.
● Think the link may be real? Double check the URL. Scammers often buy official-looking URLs to use in their cons. Be careful that the link is really what it pretends to be. If the message alleges to come from the local government, make sure the URL ends in .gov (for the United States) or .ca (for Canada). When in doubt, perform a separate internet search for the website.
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New Mecklenburg County Web App Allows DSS Customers to Upload Documents
The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services is developing ways for customers to apply for benefits remotely. In addition to being able to apply for Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services online, DSS customers can now upload their supporting documents and recertifications online.
Today, the department launched a web app, DSSdocs.MeckNC.gov, that allows customers to attach applications, recertifications, and other documents. The web app allows customers to conveniently upload their applications from anywhere on their mobile or desktop devices. This system is user-friendly and efficient.
Customers can add the web app to their home screen by following the instructions listed on the menu at the top left corner of the webpage.
Customers can still apply for Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services online with DHHS E-pass. DSS applications can still be completed by phone at 704-336-3000. Applications are also available for pickup only at the following DSS locations:
- Kuralt Centre 301 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
- Community Resource Center 3205 Freedom Drive, Suite 1000, Charlotte, NC 28208
Each day hundreds of customers travel to DSS to drop off documents. For most DSS customers, this requires two bus trips to reach a County facility. The new web app will eliminate wait times and the need for customers to come to a physical location. The app also provides a safe way to provide County services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This project is the result of a collaborative effort between DSS and the County’s Information Technology Services Department.
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More than 1M file for unemployment in NC as state pays more than $3.5B across programs
More than 1,014,500 people have filed for unemployment in North Carolina, according to a daily report from the North Carolina Division of Unemployment Security.
Of those people, 682,172 have received benefits through State Unemployment Insurance, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
In total, the state has paid more than $3,573,003,173 in unemployment benefits.
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CATS to resume fare collection Monday; Novant to begin relaxing its visitation policy
If you ride a CATS bus or the light rail, the free rides are ending soon. CATS says fare collection will resume Monday.
Buses and the Blue Line will also run more frequently starting Monday. Back in April, CATS buses began limiting capacity to 20 riders and riders were asked to wear masks and stay six feet apart.
Also starting Monday, Novant Health plans to relax its visitation policy that has been in place since March -- you can have one person come with you.
In addition, there is no end time for visiting hours for people in critical care and surgery.
At Novant clinics, you can have one person with you if the patient is 65 or older or under 18.
Exceptions could be made, but you need to call ahead of time.
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Rowan County urges to remain vigilant in public
While Rowan County has seen an increase in positive test results, it is important to know that the number of tests is also increasing. This is due to the County’s goal to coordinate more testing opportunities for all citizens.
The County’s medical capability remains adequate in terms of beds dedicated for COVID-19 patients and the availability of ventilators. Please refer to the Rowan County Data Hub for more information.
The focus in Rowan County should remain on vigilance while in public. Businesses and citizens are highly encouraged to follow the 3 W’s and respect the efforts of others to engage in healthy habits.
Even though we face fewer restrictions, it is important to maintain safe practices.
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Novant Health will lift some visitor restrictions on Monday
Novant Health will loosen its visitation policy starting on Monday. Novant’s visitor restrictions were first put in place in March to help control the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. The new policies will go into effect Monday, June 8.
In acute care facilities, patients can have one visitor accompany them. For visitors of patients in critical care, obstetrics and inpatient surgery, there is no end time for visiting hours. Emergency department and same-day surgery visitors are encouraged to stay in their vehicle unless needed by the patient or until patient is in an assigned room. Exceptions may be granted in special circumstances, such as end-of-life care. Visitor restrictions remain in place for patients undergoing active treatment for COVID-19.
In clinics, one visitor will be allowed to accompany patients if the patient is age 65 or over or is the parent or guardian for patients under 18. Patients are encouraged to contact their clinic provider for specific guidance on visitors if they are between the ages of 18 and 64. Exceptions may be granted for patients who require special assistance to access care.
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MONDAY MORNING STORYLINES
The state senate is set to take up a bill on Monday that would allow gyms and fitness centers to reopen. House Bill 594 would allow gyms to reopen with limited capacity, despite the executive order.
Gov. Roy Cooper previously said gyms and bars could be allowed to reopen under a “Phase 2.5.” On Friday, Gov. Cooper vetoed a bill that would have allowed bars to open outdoor seating across North Carolina.
Local health officials are answering questions about contact tracing resources on Monday morning. Last week, the state launched new initiatives to expand COVID-19 testing and contact tracing across the state and help people protect their families and neighbors.
696 people in North Carolina are in hospitals from COVID-19 according to the state. There have been more than 35,000 cases in the state as of Sunday. The latest numbers will come out later today.
Cooper and the state’s coronavirus task force will give an update at 3 p.m. today.
At least 18 states are seeing COVID-19 cases on the rise, including in North Carolina. New York City is entering Phase 1 of its recovery plan on Monday.
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