Coronavirus local updates: Health officials report 80 cases in Mecklenburg Co.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The United States has more than 26,000 cases across all 50 states, and businesses, education, sports and more are being impacted as leaders continue to move to stricter measures to contain the coronavirus.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared a State of Emergency. Following the statewide declaration, Mecklenburg County declared a state of emergency. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster also declared a State of Emergency.

President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency, opening up more avenues to battle the outbreak. In addition, the federal government has slashed regulations around testing development in order to try and speed up testing.

The president has also signed a coronavirus relief package into law. That package includes free coronavirus testing for people who need it and paid emergency leave from work, among other things.

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

Important Links & Updates:

• CDC: Tracking Cases in the U.S. here
• NC Dept. of Health & Human Service
• WSOC Special Section: Tracking Coronavirus
• WHO: Advice for the Public
• WHO: Q&A

Live local updates from Sunday:

9:40 p.m.

Novant Health announced they are opening a new screening center in Salisbury to test for COVID-19.

It will be at 315 Mocksville Avenue and open starting Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

People have to be displaying symptoms of the virus, otherwise, Novant Health won’t screen them.

8:24 p.m.

Atrium Health announced a new program it is using called “Virtual Hospital, at Home” to help monitor patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

7:48 p.m.

Mecklenburg County and local organizations announced they will cover at least one week of costs to help keep some residents from possibly becoming homeless.

Crisis Assistance Ministry said it will pay for a week’s worth of hotel and motel costs to keep people and families from being evicted.

“This is already a fragile population that is vulnerable to homelessness,” said Stacy Lowry, Mecklenburg County Community Support Services director. “It will only make it harder if they are forced out and have nowhere else to go.”

7:19 p.m

Cabarrus County Schools said it will give Chromebooks to students who don’t have a computer or similar device at home.

The Chromebooks will be given out March 24 and 25.

The district said it wants to make sure all students have a device as it plans instruction and lesson plans while schools are closed.

6:43 p.m.

Mecklenburg County now has at least 80 cases of the coronavirus, health officials said.

According to officials, about half of the cases are adults aged 20 to 39 and one of the cases is someone younger than 19.

Officials also said there is at least one case in each ZIP code of Mecklenburg County.

6:01 p.m.

Crowders Mountain State Park announced it will be closed starting Monday until further notice.

It said it is closing due to health and safety concerns for visitors and staff.

4:48 p.m.

Brooks Sandwich House announced it is closing until further notice due to the coronavirus.

In a post on Instagram, the restaurant said it’s another big hit for them since it was closed for two months after the murder of co-owner Scott Brooks in December 2019.

The restaurant said it doesn’t want to risk anyone’s health over work.

4:23 p.m.

McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA, announced it will not be turning the Christmas lights back on due to guidelines from the COVID-19 task force not recommending gatherings of more than 10 people.

It said two trees at the Pharr office near the lake will light up each night from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. to honor our military.

4:00 p.m.

Officials confirmed two more cases of the coronavirus in Cabarrus County.

This brings the total in the county to eight cases and the state total in North Carolina to 294.

3:43 p.m.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said it is investigating 22 additional cases of COVID-19. This includes two new cases in Lancaster County and two additional cases in York County.

This brings the total number in South Carolina to 195 cases.

“We recognize the hardships that are facing many South Carolinians as we continue to respond to this ongoing public health event,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC physician. “We encourage the public to focus on things that each of us can do to limit the spread of illness by washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough and practicing social distancing.”

County-by-County new positive cases breakdown:

• Beaufort County: 2 cases
• Berkeley County: 1 case
• Charleston County: 4 cases
• Colleton County: 1 case
• Darlington County: 1 case
• Greenville County: 2 cases
• Hampton County: 1 case
• Horry County: 2 cases
• Kershaw County: 1 case
• Lancaster County: 2 cases
• Richland County: 3 cases
• York County: 2 cases

3:33 p.m.

Health officials said Buncombe County has its first three cases of the novel coronavirus.

Officials said the three people live in the county and a fourth person just visiting Asheville tested positive, as well. That person then went to Macon County to be isolated.

2:37 p.m.

There will be no more yard and bulk waste pickup starting Monday in the cities of Charlotte and Matthews.

1:15 p.m.

In an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Wake County health officials have announced all fitness centers, gyms, hair and nail salons and other grooming services must close.

The county is also banning the use of playground equipment at public and private parks. This does not include backyard equipment, greenways and walking trails.

Health officials have identified nearly 50 positive or presumptive positive cases in Wake County.

1:00 p.m.

Amtrak adjusted some of its services after demand significantly reduced in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

For North Carolina, the Piedmont line that runs from Charlotte to Raleigh will have a reduced schedule starting Monday.

Officials said because of the reductions, some of the stations may not be staffed. If the station is not staffed, go to the platform to board your train. In addition, cafe service will be suspended on certain trains as well.

Amtrak said it is waiving change fees on all existing trips or new reservations that are made before April 30. It is not known when the trains will go back to their normal schedules.

10:30 a.m.

The Department of Health and Human Services is reporting 255 positive cases and presumptive positive cases in North Carolina.

The latest statewide case count does not include several cases reported by individual county health departments. Based on county health department reporting numbers, North Carolina’s total known cases sits around 289.

County-by-County case breakdown:

Alamance: 1

Brunswick: 6

Cabarrus: 6

Carteret: 5

Catawba:1

Chatham: 3

Cherokee: 4

Craven: 2

Cumberland: 4

Davidson: 1

Davie: 1

Durham: 40

Forsyth: 12

Franklin: 4

Gaston: 3

Granville: 1

Guilford: 11

Harnett: 8

Henderson: 1

Hoke: 1

Hyde: 1

Iredell: 3

Johnston: 3

Lee: 1

Lincoln: 1

Mecklenburg: 77

Moore: 2

Nash: 1

New Hanover: 4

Onslow: 1

Orange: 6

Pasquotank: 1

Pitt: 3

Robeson: 1

Rowan: 2

Sampson: 1

Scotland: 1

Stanly: 1

Union: 9

Wake: 49

Watauga: 2

Wayne: 1

Wilson: 3

10:15 a.m.

Iredell County has identified its third presumptive positive case of coronavirus.

Officials said the person had been in isolation at home since they were first tested and will continue to monitor their symptoms at home.

The health department has also identified people who may have contact into contact with the virus. Health officials said all of the people who may have been impacted will be isolated at home for 14 days in order to prevent possible spread.

Health Director Jane Hinson said she believes the risk in Iredell County is not from those who have been diagnosed and are isolating themselves, but from people who have not been diagnosed and are not staying home.

9:30 a.m.

Starting Sunday, Concord-Padgett Regional Airport is partnering with the Cabarrus Health Alliance to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Cabarrus County.

Officials said as travelers arrive at the airport, a certified nursing staff member will take their temperature using a no-touch thermometer.

If passengers are showing symptoms, they will be given medical attention and directed to a doctor in the area. If they are not symptomatic, they will be asked to go directly to the bathroom to wash their hands before going toward the arrivals area.

“Concord-Padgett Regional Airport and Cabarrus Health Alliance are taking every precaution to provide a safe and healthy environment for staff and travelers arriving into Cabarrus County,” the airport said in a statement.

9:15 a.m.

Novant Health announced it will be opening a coronavirus screening center in Salisbury Tuesday morning.

The center will be at 315 Mocksville Avenue and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Officials said people who do not have symptoms will not be tested and should not visit the screening center if they do not meet the criteria for screening or testing. By visiting the center unnecessarily, you may exposure yourself to the virus as well as limit the resources for those who need it the most.

8:30 a.m.

Nash County health officials have identified the area’s first presumptive positive coronavirus case.

The person is doing well and is in isolation at home.

10:25 p.m. (Saturday)

Officials confirm 4 additional cases of COVID-19 in Carteret County.

This brings the total number of cases in the county to 5 and the total number in North Carolina to 273 cases.

9:30 p.m. (Saturday)

The Christmas lights will be turned back on in McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA, to help spread cheer during these challenging times.

They will be on for a limited time from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

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