Coronavirus local updates: Health officials report 1,167 cases in NC, 336 cases in Meck. County

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — About 665,000 people worldwide -- including nearly 124,000 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.

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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 over 1,000 Sunday. North Carolina reported 1,040 cases statewide.
• Several counties have a stay-at-home order already in effect or going into effect soon. 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 to take effect Monday

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:

7:00 p.m.

Officials have confirmed three additional cases of COVID-19 in Union County. This brings the total number of cases in the county to 38.

6:36 p.m.

MUSC Health – Lancaster Medical Center has reported that a patient at the hospital has tested positive for the coronavirus.

According to the hospital, the patient is in fair condition and is alert.

4:50 p.m.

The Department of Health and Human Services is reporting 1,167 cases and five deaths due to COVID-19 in North Carolina.

Officials also said the number of coronavirus cases in Mecklenburg County has risen to 336.

4:40 p.m.

Officials confirmed an additional case of COVID-19 in Cabarrus County. This brings the total in the county to 33 cases.

4:09 p.m.

Delta Airlines announced it is offering free flights to certain parts of the country that have been highly impacted by the coronavirus for medical volunteers, to help medical professionals.

3:38 p.m.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has announced one additional death related to the coronavirus. This brings the total number of deaths in the state to 16.

Officials said the patient was elderly and had underlying health conditions. They lived in Horry County.

“Today’s announcement is a solemn reminder of how serious this disease is. It has challenged us as individuals and as a state and it has taken the lives of our neighbors and loved ones,” said Dr. Jonathan Knoche, DHEC physician. “We’re all in this together, and it is incumbent upon all of us to take action to stop the spread of COVID-19. If you can, we encourage you to please stay home and limit your close contact with others.”

Health officials also announced 113 additional cases of COVID-19. The total number of cases in South Carolina is now 774.

County-by-county breakdown of new cases:

• Aiken County: 2 cases
• Anderson County: 5 cases
• Beaufort County: 11 cases
• Calhoun County: 1 case
• Charleston County: 8 cases
• Clarendon County: 9 cases
• Darlington County: 2 cases
• Edgefield County: 1 case
• Florence County: 1 case
• Georgetown County: 4 cases
• Greenville County: 14 cases
• Horry County: 3 cases
• Kershaw County: 5 cases
• Lancaster County: 4 cases
• Laurens County: 1 case
• Lexington County: 5 cases
• Marlboro County: 1 case
• Oconee County: 1 case
• Orangeburg County: 2 cases
• Pickens County: 1 case
• Richland County: 17 cases
• Spartanburg County: 4 cases
• Sumter County: 6 cases
• York County: 5 cases

3:25 p.m.

Health officials have confirmed two additional cases of COVID-19 in Rowan County. This brings the total number of positive cases in the county to 16.

2:15 p.m.

Gaston County is now reporting 22 cases of coronavirus in the area. Health officials did not release any other information about the new cases.

1 p.m.

Mecklenburg County health officials have reported the county’s first coronavirus-related death.

Health Director Gibbie Harris said the patient was 60 years old, had significant underlying medical conditions and likely got the virus through community spread.

Harris said in Mecklenburg County, around 20 percent of the new cases are requiring hospitalization.

In addition, Harris pleaded for residents to follow the stay-at-home order. She said she understands the weather is beautiful and everyone wants to be outside, but it is important to maintain the social distancing.

Harris said parks were packed Saturday and sandbars on lakes were crowded to the point where social distancing could not be maintained.

County Manager Dena Diorio said the city is in the process of getting signs to show playgrounds are closed and park rangers have been enforcing the closures.

Harris said there are extra levels of restrictions the county can put in place if needed and enforcement can be ramped up, but she did not go into detail.

“Based on what we saw yesterday with the parks, lakes, sand bars, there are still a lot of people not taking this seriously," Harris said. "We need everyone to be part of the solution.”

12:50 p.m.

Cleveland County has identified a fifth resident who tested positive for coronavirus.

Officials said the patient did not travel recently and did not have direct contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, indicating this to be a case of community spread.

“This is the second case of COVID-19 in the county that appears to be caused by community transmission,” Interim Cleveland County Health Director Deshay Oliver said. “This confirms that COVID-19 is now spreading throughout our community. I strongly urge county residents to comply with the Stay-at-Home Executive Order that goes into effect Monday at 5:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m.

Health officials in Buncombe County have reported the area’s first coronavirus-related death.

According to our news partner WLOS, the patient was elderly and died Saturday from complications associated with the virus.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this time," Interim Public Health Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore said. “COVID-19 can be a serious illness, especially for the elderly or those with underlying health problems. All of us must do our part to protect ourselves, our friends and family, our neighbors, and the most vulnerable in our community.”

11:40 a.m.

Health officials have identified two new cases of coronavirus in Catawba County, bringing the area’s total to 14.

No deaths associated with COVID-19 have been reported in Catawba County. Officials said 503 people have been tested for the virus in the county and they have received 172 negative results.

They are waiting on results for the remaining tests.

10:45 a.m.

The Department of Health and Human Services is reporting more than 1,000 cases of coronavirus across North Carolina.

Mecklenburg County health officials say there are now 315 total cases of COVID-19 in the area.

North Carolina Updates:

Cases: 1,040

Deaths: 4

Completed Tests: 18,945

Currently Hospitalized: 91

Age Group:

0-17: 1%

18-24: 12%

25-49: 46%

50-64: 24%

65+: 16%

Gender:

Male: 51%

Female: 47%

Unknown: 1%

7 a.m.

Governor McMaster has laid out the punishment for violating the order against public gatherings.

In a set of new guidelines for South Carolina’s State of Emergency, McMaster said anyone who refuses to disperse could face a misdemeanor charge. This could result in 30 days in jail or a $100 fine.

The governor also directed 911 operators to ask callers if they or anyone in their home has tested positive for COVID-19 or is showing symptoms.

7:00 p.m. (Saturday)

A fourth Cleveland County resident has tested positive for COVID-19, according to officials. The person is at home in isolation.

Officials said the person works in a nearby county that is experiencing community spread.

“This individual experienced mild symptoms for over two weeks before being tested for COVID-19,” Interim Cleveland County health director Deshay Oliver said. “This emphasizes the importance of staying home and isolating when you are sick, even if symptoms are mild. This is extremely important to prevent spreading the virus to others and to protect our high-risk populations. While you may be experiencing mild symptoms, someone else who gets it may not be so fortunate, especially if they are age 65 or older or have underlying health conditions.”

6:15 p.m. (Saturday)

Officials confirmed one additional case of the coronavirus in Cabarrus County. This brings the total number of cases in the county to 32.

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