Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

littlemissmartypants

(25,483 posts)
Wed Jun 24, 2020, 03:27 PM Jun 2020

Covid-19 Update, Gov. Cooper Extends by 3 weeks, Safer at Home, Phase 2

https://www.nc.gov/covid-19/staying-ahead-curve

July 17th is the next assessment day.

North Carolina Pauses
in Safer At Home Phase 2

Adds Statewide Requirement for Face Coverings


As trends move in the wrong direction, state will not yet move into Phase 3

Jun 24, 2020

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen today announced that North Carolina will remain in Safer at Home Phase 2 for three more weeks. Cooper also announced that face coverings must be worn when people are in public places as officials seek to stabilize concerning trends of increasing viral spread.

Cooper and Cohen were joined by Dennis Taylor, President of the North Carolina Nurses Association and Eugene A. Woods, President and CEO of Atrium Health.

“North Carolina is relying on the data and the science to lift restrictions responsibly, and right now our increasing numbers show we need to hit the pause button while we work to stabilize our trends,” said Governor Cooper. “We need to all work together so we can protect our families and neighbors, restore our economy, and get people back to work and our children back to school.”

“I know North Carolinians are strong, resilient and care deeply about our communities. We pride ourselves on helping our neighbors. The best way we can do that now is by taking the simple action of wearing a face covering that covers your nose and mouth. If we each do our part, we can get back to the people and places we love,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, NCDHHS Secretary.

Growing evidence shows that cloth face coverings, when worn consistently, can decrease the spread of COVID-19, especially among people who are not yet showing symptoms of the virus. Until now, face coverings had been strongly recommended. Under today’s executive order, people must wear face coverings when in public places where physical distancing is not possible.

In addition, certain businesses must have employees and customers wear face coverings, including retail businesses, restaurants, personal care and grooming; employees of child care centers and camps; state government agencies under the Governor’s Cabinet; workers and riders of transportation; and workers in construction/trades, manufacturing, agriculture, meat processing and healthcare and long-term care settings.

“Wearing a face covering is an easy thing to do that can make a huge impact for all of us. A major spike in cases would be catastrophic to the system, and without your cooperation, nurses and our fellow healthcare providers will have a harder time caring for sick patients for weeks and months to come,” said Dennis Taylor, a nurse, and President of the North Carolina Nurses Association.

“As the leader of the state’s largest health system, I am pro-health and also 100 percent pro-business. In fact, the two are inextricably connected and I’m very proud of the way business leaders and health experts are working together to keep our economy strong,” said Eugene A. Woods, President and CEO of Atrium Health. “Medical science says to reduce the spread of COVID-19 masking works, and my sincere hope is that all the people of North Carolina can join forces to make wearing a mask not something we feel we have to do – but something that we want to do to keep each other, our neighbors, our children and our loved ones healthy and safe”

Based on the metrics laid out in April by Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen, North Carolina is evaluating a combination of the data from the following categories that shows the indicators moving in the wrong direction, causing officials to implement today’s pause in Phase 2.

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is increasing.
Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases starting to level, but is still increasing.
Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive remains elevated.
Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations are increasing, though we have capacity in our healthcare system.
In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:

Laboratory Testing

North Carolina is averaging more than 17,000 tests a day for the past week and there are more than 500 sites listed on online plus additional pop-up sites.
North Carolina labs and labs around the country are seeing supply shortages for laboratory chemicals needed to process tests.
Tracing Capability

There are over 1,500 full-time and part-time staff supporting contact tracing efforts at the local health department level, including the 309 Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative contact tracers. These new hires reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, and 44% are bilingual.
Personal Protective Equipment

Our personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.


Much more at the link: https://governor.nc.gov/news/north-carolina-pauses-safer-home-phase-2-adds-statewide-requirement-%EF%BB%BF-face-coverings



Wednesday, June 24 video links:

NCDPS
https://www.ncdps.gov/storm-update

UNC-TV
https://www.unctv.org/coronavirus/

scroll down to find ASL, English and Spanish versions of this briefing or to view previous briefings.

North Carolina COVID-19 Information Hub link:
https://www.nc.gov/covid19

Good luck everyone.
❤ lmsp

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Covid-19 Update, Gov. Cooper Extends by 3 weeks, Safer at Home, Phase 2 (Original Post) littlemissmartypants Jun 2020 OP
Thanks for posting this latest info lmsp. steventh Jun 2020 #1
Yay! Some sanity. fleur-de-lisa Jun 2020 #2
2,384 new cases today dweller Jun 2020 #3
I saw reports of 1721 unc70 Jun 2020 #4
Counts by source vary widely. littlemissmartypants Jun 2020 #5
worldometer dweller Jun 2020 #6

steventh

(2,156 posts)
1. Thanks for posting this latest info lmsp.
Wed Jun 24, 2020, 03:36 PM
Jun 2020

I'm very glad to see face coverings are now required. Even though the gov blew off my last week's memo requesting the same, anyway he did the right thing.

dweller

(25,053 posts)
6. worldometer
Wed Jun 24, 2020, 05:21 PM
Jun 2020

i usually wait til they reset at the end of the day to zero, then click
yesterday tab , but checked earlier today for another reason
it was 1,2xx something around noon, no deaths ... checked again when i posted here
2,384 new cases, 24 new deaths

the numbers trickle in throughout the day there, but NC usually posts fairly early
and then it can change later, this i normally check late after reset to 0
and use yesterday tab for final results

✌🏼

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»North Carolina»Covid-19 Update, Gov. Coo...