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Coronavirus local updates: Mecklenburg County OKs drive-up church services

By WSOCTV.com News Staff
By WSOCTV.com News Staff

More than 2.7 million people worldwide -- including nearly 870,000 people in the United States – have been infected with the new coronavirus, and the number of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise. Officials are attempting to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. as hospitals manage unprecedented patient surges.

>> Scroll below for live, local real-time minute-by-minute updates

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***Possible news conferences scheduled for today***

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Mecklenburg County: (10 a.m.)

North Carolina Task Force: (TBA)

South Carolina Task Force (TBA)

White House Task Force: (5 p.m.)

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>> Here are the latest updates about COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in North Carolina and South Carolina. Scroll below for real-time updates.

  • The number of cases across North Carolina reached 8,052 Friday. North Carolina is now reporting 269 deaths, 100,584 completed tests and 477 people currently in the hospital.
  • Gov. Roy Cooper and the state’s coronavirus task force announced a statewide stay-at-home order which is currently in effect.
  • Gov. Henry McMaster has ordered a home or work order in South Carolina.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases in the United States here.

Important Links:

Live, local updates from Friday:

11:18 p.m.

The Iredell County Health Department reported its fifth death due to COVID-19.

Officials said the person had underlying health conditions.

10:29 p.m.

A Bojangles’ in Lancaster confirmed an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.

The store located on North Main Street said the employee last works on April 22 and is now isolating at home.

The restaurant said it learned about the employee’s positive diagnosis Friday and closed for appropriate cleaning and sanitation.

The restaurant said it will reopen once all precautionary measures have been taken.

9:45 p.m.

9:15 p.m.

9 p.m.

7 p.m.

Rowan County has 310 confirmed cases; 20 deaths.

“As more of our community receives COVID-19 testing results, there is a clear indication that Rowan County needs to improve on its commitment to Stay-at-Home and ensure social distancing. The majority of today’s positive case increase is due to community spread.” -- Rowan County Public Health

CLICK HERE for more information.

6:22 p.m.

Lincoln County

  • Total Tested: 644
  • Positive - Active Cases: 7
  • Positive - Recovered Cases: 18
  • Negative Cases: 617

A positive active case is a person who tested positive in a lab and remains in isolation until cleared.

A positive recovered case is a person who tested positive in a lab and has now met the state criteria for clearance.

A negative case is a person that tested negative in a lab.

6 p.m.

In Mecklenburg County, there are 1,400 cases of COVID-19 and 37 related deaths.

CLICK HERE for more information.

5:55 p.m.

South Carolina DHEC today announced 168 new cases of COVID-19 and 8 additional deaths.

This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 5,070 and those who have died to 157.

CLICK HERE for more information.

5:50 p.m.

The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 tops 50,000 and global cases climb toward 2.8 million.

4:45 p.m.

Mecklenburg County says 1,424 residents have tested positive for COVID-19. As of two days ago, 60% of people who tested positive have been released from isolation. 40 residents have died.

4:10 p.m.

Mecklenburg County churches interested in hosting “drive-up” worship services for their congregations may do so starting this weekend.

Public Health Director Gibbie Harris urges the following precautionary measures during services.

Church participants:

  • Should not have personal contact with individuals outside of their car
  • Should keep car windows partially closed during the service
  • Should park a space away from other participant

In addition, the practice of communion is not permitted.

Following the guidelines above will prevent close contact that could promote the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

For more information on COVID-19 or the latest data report, visit the County’s COVID-19 webpage on Mecknc.gov.

3:05 p.m.

In response to the State of Emergency declared by the United States of America and the State of North Carolina, and Mecklenburg County's Stay at Home Order, the Office of the Tax Collector (OTC) is issuing an extension to the application and payment of the local Beer & Wine Privilege License.

The Alcohol and Beverage Commission (ABC) Chairman A.D. " Zander" Guy established a grace period for the registration/renewal process of licenses until June 30, 2020.

Therefore, the OTC has extended the due date to obtain a local license from May 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020. Although this change affects the due date, the license year will remain the same: May 1 – April 30.Under North Carolina General Statute 105-113.70, each person who receives an ABC permit shall obtain the corresponding local license, if any, under this Article. All local licenses are issued by the city or county where the establishment for which the license is sought is located.Mecklenburg County mailed annual Beer & Wine License Applications on March 26, 2020.

The due date on the application indicates May 1. The due date for application and payment is now extended to July 1.If you have any questions, please contact the OTC via phone at 704-432-4200, or email. For more information or for payment, visit the OTC website.

3 p.m.

NCHSAA Sports Update: All remaining winter championships and spring sports are canceled.

Commissioner Statement:

"In keeping with Governor Roy Cooper’s announcement today that the public schools of North Carolina will be closed to in-person learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) has canceled all remaining winter championships and spring sports.

“Today’s decision is difficult for the NCHSAA Board of Directors and Staff. We empathize with the thousands of student-athletes, especially graduating seniors, coaching staff, officials and family members affected by this decision,” said NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker. “However, this decision reflects a commitment to keeping our student-athletes, officials and member schools’ staffs and their communities safe, while following the guidelines provided by the Governor and his team, along with the Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.”

"We had maintained hope for a conclusion to our State Basketball Championships and a modified spring sports season to help return a sense of normalcy to our communities,” continued Tucker. “Now, as we continue to deal with this difficult time, we must do so by applying the lessons that education-based athletics teaches us: cooperation, patience, sacrifice, responsibility, perseverance and resilience. Together, we will be able to put a “W” in the win column!”

“The NCHSAA Board of Directors, in its meeting next week, will discuss finalizing the state basketball playoffs, policies for summer activities, as well as address academic eligibility concerns for Fall 2020.”

2:17 p.m.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced a proposed budget of $1.4 billion from the CARES Act coronavirus relief fund to help the state.

Cooper said the budget package would fund immediate needs in three main areas: public health and safety, continuity of operations for education and other state government services and assistance to small businesses and local governments.

2:05 p.m.

North Carolina schools to continue remote leaning for rest of school year

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced schools will continue remote learning for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. All schools will remain closed.

Cooper also said the opening of schools in the summer and fall, and the opening of summer camps will depend on meeting health guidelines.

North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson said the state has started planning for the next school year.

1:50 p.m.

The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a female inmate tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday. Officials said she is in isolation.

Authorities said she came into contact with eight other inmates. They have all been tested for the coronavirus and were placed in isolation.

According to officials, eight staff members also came in contact with the infected inmate and have been placed on administrative leave and tested for COVID-19.

11:35 a.m.

FAMILY FRIDAY NIGHTS CONCERTS CANCELLED UNTIL AUGUST.

The Town of Valdese has made the decision to cancel all concerts scheduled for June and July as part of the Family Friday Night Summer Concert Series. The Family Friday Nights Summer Concert Series was scheduled to kick-off on June 5th after postponements were made for May events. Unfortunately, this also includes the cancellation of the Annual Independence Day Celebration and fireworks display planned for July 3rd, 2020. Great consideration was taken in making this decision, however, the health of our community and citizens is most important during this difficult time.

With recent announcements from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and Governor Roy Cooper, we believe it is in the best interest of our staff, our artists, our citizens, and our visitors to suspend all summer concerts until August. We hope to be able to rejoin and celebrate as a community in August for the Waldensian Festival scheduled for August 7 & 8th, 2020.

With the expansion of the Stay at Home order, and the introduction of the Phases to Re-open plan, we know that mass gatherings will not be reality for our state for quite some time. With the concerts being outdoors, and crowds being large, there is no way to safely regulate social distancing during these specific events. While we plan to reconvene in August, please note that this situation is fluid and we will continue to consult the proper officials to make decisions based on what is best for the health and safety of our community.

We truly believe that no event is worth putting the health of our community at risk. Right now, our focus is keeping our community safe, and that cannot be done without making sacrifices. “The summer concerts are truly the biggest highlight of our year and I regret sharing the cancellation decision with our community and event attendees,” states Morrissa Angi Community Affairs Director for the Town of Valdese. “Our hope is for our community to stay healthy and come out for a tremendous celebration when this difficult time passes,” Angi continued.

We want to thank you all for your continuous support of the Town of Valdese. We have received an outpour of encouragement during these difficult times. Our community’s unbreakable positive attitude has given us hope in this dark time, and we are forever grateful for that. We encourage our community to support our local businesses now more than ever - buy gift cards for future use, shop online and order food from our restaurants to go. “We have an amazing variety of businesses downtown and we sympathize with the hardships they are enduring through the COVID-19 pandemic. Take the time while you are home to visit their businesses online and if you can’t support them financial with a purchase, share their specials or site with your friends and family,” Angi stated.

11:05 a.m.

North Carolina has released its latest data on COVID-19 in the state

There were 444 more coronavirus cases confirmed in North Carolina by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

The new figures showed an additional 16 deaths to bring the total to 269.

There have now been 8,052 cases in the state across 93 counties.

Numbers:

There are now 8,052 positive cases reported across North Carolina, which is 444 more than the day prior.

Sixteen more deaths were reported overnight, bringing the total for the state to 269.

There have been 100,584 completed tests and 477 people are currently in the hospital for COVID-19.

Case breakdown by age:

0-17 (2%)

18-24 (7%)

25-49 (40%)

50-64 (28%)

65 or older (24%)

COVID-19 deaths by age:

25-49 (4%)

50-64 (11%)

65 or older (85%)

Of those positive cases, 53% are white and 39% are black.

Women make up 51% of the positive cases, and men account for 47%, though men make up 61% of the deaths.

Outbreaks:

There have been 42 reported outbreaks at nursing homes (Burke (2), Cabarrus, Cleveland, Iredell, Mecklenburg (5), Rowan (2), Union (2)). Those nursing homes have seen 1,182 positive cases and 101 deaths.

There have been 15 reported outbreaks at residential care facilities (Cabarrus, Mecklenburg (5), Stanly, Union). Those facilities have seen 223 positive cases and 24 deaths.

10:45 a.m.

The state confirms an inmate at Neuse Correctional Institution has died from pre-existing conditions complicated by COVID-19. This marks the second coronavirus-related death in the North Carolina prison system.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed an offender at Pender Correctional Institution died at the hospital from COVID-19.

Currently, there are 465 inmates that have tested positive for COVID-19 at Neuse Correctional.

All healthy offenders have been separated from those who have tested positive in order to stop the further spread of the virus at the facility, according to Wayne County officials. While they may be contagious, around 98 percent of the offenders who have tested positive at the prison have shown no symptoms.

“This situation is concerning but not a cause for panic,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “We are working in conjunction with our great partners in Wayne County and with the excellent team at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. We have quarantine and isolation protocols in place, operating in keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. And we have dispatched reinforcements for the staff at Neuse Correctional. The security and medical teams are providing top-notch service in the face of the what are likely some of the most challenging times in their professional lives. They are the unsung heroes of North Carolina’s law enforcement community.”

10:30 a.m.

Ebenezer Park to Re-Open Campgrounds May 1st

Instituting social distancing measures and following health protocols, York County’s Ebenezer Park will re-open its campgrounds to the public on Friday, May 1, at 10 a.m. However, other areas of the park will remain closed or have limited access. These areas are as follows:

  • Park offices and bathhouse facility will remain closed initially or will operate on a limited scale.
  • The Ranger Station Campground Store should open by Friday, May 15. York County will use SCDHEC and CDC guidance to determine the maximum occupancy in these common area facilities in order to maintain social distancing rules and limit contact between staff and visitors.

Due to the Ebenezer Park Masterplan improvements and construction, the boat ramps, beach area and picnic area are closed. At this time, an opening date has not been determined for these areas.

The public can call Ebenezer Park Offices to make a camping reservation for May 1, and beyond. Due to the evolving construction, the Park is not taking any camping reservations online. To make a reservation or to seek additional information, please call the Ebenezer Park Office at (803) 366-6620. Ebenezer Park staff will continually monitor visitor usage and adjust services as needed to ensure compliance with CDC and SCDHEC guidelines in order to protect the safety and well-fare of the public and park staff.

10:15 a.m.

733,917 unemployment claims have been filed in North Carolina since March 15, according to the state. 628,244 were related to job losses from COVID-19.

10 a.m.

Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio, Public Health Director Gibbie Harris, and other leaders are holding a virtual media update at 10 a.m. in response to Gov. Cooper’s stay-at-home order extension, as well as an update on COVID-19.

Diorio says Mecklenburg County is very pleased with the extension of the stay-at-home order and with the governor’s data-driven plan for reopening. She said churches are now going to be allowed to perform drive-up services in Mecklenburg County. Drive-up communion will not be allowed.

Harris said the updated county data now shows 1,400 positive cases and 38 deaths in Mecklenburg County. The trend is “fairly flat” but April 22 was the second-highest day, with 76 cases reported. She also said there are eight outbreaks in long-term care facilities.

Harris said about 91 people are currently hospitalized in the county due to COVID-19.

Diorio said that when the state starts to reopen, Mecklenburg County will not be more restrictive than Nort Carolina. Mecklenburg County will follow the governor’s guidelines.

9:40 a.m.

Mecklenburg County COVID-19 Data Update

Today, Friday, April 24, 2020, there are 1,400 cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Mecklenburg County and 38 related deaths.

As of Wednesday, April 22, 2020, there were 1,331 COVID-19 cases among county residents reported to Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH).

These results only reflect laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among county residents. Many individuals infected by COVID-19 have not been tested because they are asymptomatic or do not meet current CDC recommendations for testing. As such, these results are very fluid and only represent a snapshot of the true burden of COVID-19 in our community.

Daily case counts provided by MCPH may differ from state and federal counts due to delays in reporting to the various entities. MCPH updates case counts after an initial case review and, where possible, a patient interview is conducted, which includes confirming county residency. Cases reported after 5 p.m. are counted in the following day’s case count.

Highlights about the 1,331 reported cases of COVID-19 among Mecklenburg County residents include:

  • About 3 in 4 reported cases were adults ages 20 to 59 years old. Three reported cases were among children less than a year old.
  • About 1 in 5 reported cases were hospitalized due to their COVID-19 infection. While everyone is at risk for severe COVID-19 complications, reported cases who were older adults (older than 60) were four times more likely to be hospitalized compared to younger individuals.
  • More than half of reported cases have met CDC criteria to be released from isolation.
  • Thirty-five deaths due to COVID-19 occurred among reported cases.
  • Almost all deaths were among older adults (older than 60 years) with underlying chronic illnesses.
  • Almost all were hospitalized, more than half were male, and half were non-Hispanic whites.
  • Eight deaths occurred among patients living in long-term care facilities.

The latest data, maps, and charts on local COVID-19 are available here on MeckNC.gov.

8 a.m.

Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio, Public Health Director Gibbie Harris, and other leaders will hold a virtual media update today at 10 a.m. in response to Gov. Cooper’s stay-at-home order extension, as well as an update on COVID-19.

Channel 9 will stream it live.

7 a.m.

FRIDAY MORNING STORYLINES

On Thursday, Gov. Roy Cooper extended the North Carolina stay-at-home order until May 8 -- the order was initially set to expire on April 29.

Cooper also announced a three-phase plan to reopen the state. He feels that before the order can be lifted, there needs to be a sustained decrease in cases, testing needs to be increased by double the current level and the state needs adequate personal protective equipment.

On Friday, it is believed Cooper will announce a delayed opening or cancellation of classes through the calendar year. Cooper is expected to present his plan for the state’s public schools at 2 p.m.

On Thursday, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction recommended new grading policies for students. Under the recommendations, no students would receive a failing grade for the spring semester. Many students would also be able to determine if they wanted their numerical grade to count, or if they wanted the class to be judged as pass/withdrawal.

The NCDPI recommendations are not official unless approved by the North Carolina Board of Education.

As for COVID-19, the state is reporting 7,608 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 253 deaths.

A $484 billion stimulus package is heading to President Trump’s desk that includes $310 billion to replenish the tapped-out loan program for small businesses. The bill comes as 26 million people have filed for unemployment since mid-March.

North Carolina's attorney general is pushing to protect homeowners during this time. Right now, a lot of homeowners can press pause on their mortgage payments, but in some cases, the banks are telling them those payments will be due in a lump sum in just a few months -- impossible for a lot of people.

Josh Stein and more than 30 other attorneys general want banks to tack the missed payments onto the end of the loan. They sent their request to the Federal Housing Finance Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development yesterday.

In the meantime, more people will be able to file for unemployment today, including independent contractors, freelancers and the self-employed.

9:30 p.m. (Thursday)

Gov. Roy Cooper is still considering a request to allow NASCAR to race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.

Cooper on Thursday extended the state’s stay-at-home order because of the coronavirus through May 8 and said he would gradually open the state in three phases.

Cooper says teams can go back to work under the state’s executive order and are permitted to work in their race shops if they maintain social distancing guidelines.

NASCAR has been hoping to hold the Coca-Cola 600 as scheduled on May 24 without spectators and has made its request to Cooper.

The governors of both Florida and Texas have already said NASCAR is welcome to race in their states without spectators, and South Carolina and Georgia are gradually easing restrictions.

7:25 p.m. (Thursday)

The House passed a $484 billion measure to help businesses and hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic.

President Trump says he’ll sign it into law as early as Thursday evening.

It had already passed by the Senate, which as its centerpiece would add $321 billion to replenish a small-business payroll fund, while pumping more money into hospitals and testing.

Supporters of the Paycheck Protection Program warn that this week’s refill may only last a few days, likely putting business groups back at Washington’s doorstep, along with the nation’s governors and the cash-strapped Postal Service.

The bill does not provide any additional funding for state and local officials.

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