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Coronavirus local updates: Gaston County man dies from COVID-19

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

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 1.2 million people worldwide -- including nearly 312,000 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 brace for unprecedented patient surges.

>> Scroll below for real-time minute-by-minute updates

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[COUNTY-BY-COUNTY COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE]

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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 2,585 Sunday. North Carolina is now reporting 31 deaths, 40,045 completed tests and 261 people currently in the hospital.
  • Several counties have a stay-at-home order already in effect. A stay-at-home order has already been issued for Mecklenburg County, Gaston County and Cabarrus County.
  • 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 the closure of non-essential businesses in South Carolina.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases in the United States here.

Important Links & Updates:

Live local updates from Sunday:

7:45 p.m.

A Gaston County man has died from COVID-19, his church tweeted.

“The family wants the public to know this is serious,” Pastor Austin Rammell said. “That if you are showing symptoms, in any way, fashion, shape or form, stay at home.”

6:15 p.m.

The Cabarrus Health Alliance is investigating multiple COVID-19 cases at Carolinas Rehabilitation—NorthEast, What Matters Most Disability Service and Carl A. Furr Elementary.

The three facilities are in Concord.

Representatives from each facility have voluntarily partnered with CHA to follow sanitation guidelines, implement new processes and monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.

Health officials said Sunday it’s very unlikely that Carl A. Furr Elementary students were exposed to COVID-19 at the school.

CHA Interim Director Erin Shoe asks those who’ve had recent contact with the facilities, including Carl A. Furr staff, students and families—to monitor for symptoms of fever (100.4 or higher), cough and shortness of breath. If you exhibit these symptoms, call your primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider, call the CHA Health Information Line at 704-920-1213.

Carolinas Rehabilitation – NorthEast

To date, 10 individuals tested positive for COVID-19—not all reside in Cabarrus County.

To stop the spread, Carolinas Rehabilitation – NorthEast has enhanced deep-cleaning protocols; isolated patients to their rooms; started using single-serve utensils, plates and cups; ended new patient admissions; and require staff to use enhanced personal protective equipment.

What Matters Most

To date, five individuals tested positive for COVID-19—not all reside in Cabarrus County.

To stop the spread, What Matters Most has: performed an enhanced deep cleaning and closed their day program for residents.

Carl A. Furr Elementary School

To date, three staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the date of system onset and testing, health officials believe it’s very unlikely that Carl A. Furr Elementary students were exposed to COVID-19 at the school.

To stop the spread, Carl A. Furr Elementary has: performed an enhanced deep cleaning, transitioned the feeding site program to another school and prohibited staff to come onsite for the next 14 days. An additional cleaning will take place when the school prepares to reopen.

5:15 p.m.

Officials say 665 Mecklenburg County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. six residents have died.

5:10 p.m.

Rowan County officials have created a form to report stay-at-home violations.

5:05 p.m.

For the first time in the history of the Diocese of Charlotte, all Catholic churches were closed Sunday as Holy Week arrived amid the coronavirus pandemic – but on Palm Sunday, the service was livestreamed across western North Carolina.

The livestreamed services at St. Patrick Cathedral will air on the diocese’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/dioceseofcharlotte, as follows:

  • Chrism Mass – April 7 at 10 a.m.
  • Mass of the Lord’s Supper – April 9 at 7 p.m.
  • Good Friday – April 10 at 3 p.m.
  • Easter Vigil – April 11 at 8 p.m.
  • Easter Sunday – April 12 at 10 a.m.

Replays after each Mass will also be available on YouTube.

4:35 p.m.

BP is supporting local first responders, doctors, nurses and hospital workers by giving them a 50 cents off per gallon discount to use on their next fill up at BP and Amoco stations. More info here.

4:30 p.m.

Walgreen’s is giving employees face covers at stores and distribution centers. They will also have their temperature taken.

The pharmacy chain is installing Plexiglas shielding at the check-out counter.

4:05 p.m.

Chester city officials said starting Sunday, a daily curfew is in place restricting travel and public gatherings from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.

The following are exempted and free to travel to carry out their duties: Police officers, firefighters, active military, health care providers, public works and utility workers employed by any pubic utility, the city of Chester, the county of Chester, South Carolina and the U.S.

The curfew will expire when South Carolina’s state of emergency is over.

3:35 p.m.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced 132 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, including four additional deaths.

This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 2,049, and those who have died to 44.

These additional deaths occurred in three individuals who were elderly. Two of the three elderly patients were known to have underlying health conditions, and one is under investigation. One patient was a middle-aged individual who had underlying health conditions. The residents were from Clarendon, Horry, Beaufort and Lee counties.

DHEC’s COVID-19 webpage is updated daily with a map of positive cases as well as the most current recommendations for protecting against COVID-19.

Testing in South Carolina

As of April 4, DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory has conducted 7,571 tests for COVID-19. Of these tests, 876 were positive and 6,695 were negative. A total of 18,930 tests by both DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory and private labs have been conducted in the state. DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory is operating extended hours and is testing specimens seven days a week. The Public Health Laboratory’s current timeframe for providing results to health care providers is 24-48 hours.

Hospital Bed Capacity

As of April 4, 5,917 hospital beds are available and 6,283 are utilized, which is a 51.5 percent statewide hospital bed utilization rate. The overall trend this week has been in greater hospital bed availability, specifically a 6.8 percent decrease in hospital bed utilization since March 23.

2:55 p.m.

The Belmont City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, April 6 will be conducted via teleconference. Anyone wishing to watch the council meeting can do so live by clicking on this link.

If you want to participate in public comment, please email your comments to Jamie Campbell, City Clerk by 5 PM on Monday to jcampbell@cityofbelmont.org. Please include your name and address. Your comments will be read during the meeting by the City Manager, Adrian Miller.

12:30 p.m.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools says the district has an urgent need for around 1,000 face masks. This is for staff members who are involved with meal preparation and distribution for students.

For more information, click .

11:45 a.m.

Burke County health officials have reported five new positive cases of COVID-19, which brings the county’s total to 23.

The cases in the county are a combination of both traveling and community spread, according to the county health department.

Officials said 12 of the cases are associated with a long-term care facility and all of those cases are isolated.

11:30 a.m.

Health officials have identified two new cases of coronavirus in Catawba County, bringing the county’s total to 24.

Catawba County has received 339 negative test results, according to the county health department.

Officials said because there is community spread reported in both Catawba County and across the state, residents are encouraged to stay home and follow the stay-at-home order guidelines.

11:00 a.m.

Nearly 2,600 people in North Carolina have tested positive for COVID-19, according to data released by the state this morning.

NC Updates:

Cases: 2,585

Deaths: 31

Completed Tests: 40,045

Currently Hospitalized: 261

Number of Counties: 89

Age Group:

0-17: 1%

18-24: 9%

25-49: 41%

50-64: 28%

65+: 21%

Gender:

Male: 49%

Female: 51%

Health officials reported while half of the cases in the state are in the 18-49 age groups, 84% of those who have died were 65 or older.

Mecklenburg County has reported at least 664 cases with three deaths.

Of patients with COVID-19 in North Carolina, 58% are white and 37% are black.

The data reports that there have been eight outbreaks at nursing homes, four outbreaks at residential care facilities, and two outbreaks at correctional facilities.

9: 30 a.m.

Health officials have identified the first coronavirus-related death in Durham County Saturday evening. Officials said the person who died was over 65 years old and had underlying health conditions.

In addition, the county reported 10 additional residents tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 182.

8:00 a.m.

For many people, Sunday is the start of their most sacred week of the year. It’s Palm Sunday for Christians and Good Friday and Easter are next weekend.

For the Diocese of Charlotte, it will be the first time churches will be closed on Easter.

But, they’re making plans to connect online. Bishop Peter Jugis will have a series of livestreamed masses starting Sunday morning. Services will be aired on the Diocese Youtube Channel.

Here is the mass schedule:

· Palm Sunday – April 5 at 11 a.m.

· Chrism Mass – April 7 at 10 a.m.

· Mass of the Lord’s Supper – April 9 at 7 p.m.

· Good Friday – April 10 at 3 p.m.

· Easter Vigil – April 11 at 8 p.m.

· Easter Sunday – April 12 at 10 a.m.

If you can’t watch them live, replays will be available anytime on the channel.

Many churches in other denominations are also streaming services online.

10:25 p.m. (Saturday)

Pageland Police Chief Craig Greenlee has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the department.

Officials said Greenlee started noticing symptoms and self-quarantined March 27.

“With this sad news, it has brought much closer to home that COVID-19 is present in our community,” said Pageland Mayor Jason Evans. “Thankfully, Chief Greenlee followed the advice of local and national leaders and self-quarantined at the earliest time. Pageland will weather this storm, and I ask the public to shower the chief and our community as a whole with its well wishes and blessings for a speedy recovery.”

6:49 p.m. (Saturday)

Officials are reporting 46 positive cases of the coronavirus in Rowan County.

According to officials, 15 cases were travel-related and 31 cases were due to community spread.

© 2020 Cox Media Group

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