Gov. Roy Cooper extended N.C.’s Phase 3 Wednesday for another three weeks, keeping existing restrictions — including limiting mass gatherings to 25 people indoors and 50 outdoors — in place until at least Nov. 13.
This decision follows record-high numbers of coronavirus cases in the state last week, with daily new case counts setting consecutive highs last Thursday and Friday.
The state has now surpassed its previous peak from July, DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said at Wednesday afternoon’s news conference.
“Like states across the country, our numbers continue to be higher than we want,” Gov. Cooper said. “So our work to prevent the spread of this virus remains critical.”
During the conference, Cooper called on local governments to help the state in enforcing COVID-19 safety measures, referencing suggestions sent in a letter from the state to elected officials in 36 “counties of concern” earlier in the week. According to a news release, these counties have either had 300 new cases in the last 14 days, more than 50 cases for every 10,000 residents or are among the state’s three most populated counties.
Suggestions to these leaders included: a potential implementation of civil penalties or fines for violating rules, lowering local gathering limits from those indicated by the state and ending alcohol sales before the state-mandated 11 p.m. time.
In North Carolina, there were a total 250,592 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 reported as of Wednesday afternoon, with 1,842 cases reported between Oct. 20 and the conference. There are 1,219 people in the hospital, Cooper said, as well as 4,032 North Carolinians who have died due to complications from the coronavirus since March. As of this week, the state’s virus dashboard includes new data such as county-level information, reports on clusters in the state and a breakdown of demographics of people hospitalized due to the virus.
“Our local partners are key allies as we continue to fight COVID-19 and their work is vital,” Cooper said. “We hope our local communities can work with us to move some of our troubling trends in the right direction.”
In Chatham, there have been 1,873 total cases of COVID-19 and 60 deaths from the virus, according to the county’s virus dashboard. At Monday’s Chatham County Board of Commissioners meeting, Interim Health Director Mike Zelek said the county was experiencing a “sort of plateau” of cases. This plateau is reflected in the return of certain student groups in Chatham County Schools to hybrid learning on Monday, and the county’s indication that county buildings will re-open in future weeks. Still, Zelek warned citizens should remain vigilant — particularly as cases rise in the state — and reminded people to wear their masks, socially distance and wash their hands.
“We’re eight months into this pandemic, but this is a reminder we’re not through this pandemic,” Zelek said of the state’s record high daily case counts.
The department is also working with the state and StarMed Healthcare to increase the availability of testing, Zelek said, and will host two weekly and recurring COVID-19 testing events. Nasal swab PCR tests will be available at no cost and optional rapid blood antibody tests will cost $50. The events will be held from 12:30-4:30 p.m. on Mondays (beginning Oct. 26) at Chatham Central High School and Thursdays and Northwood High School; patients can register onsite or text the word “COVID” to 704-850-6996 to pre-register.
At the news conference, Gov. Cooper referenced the Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program, launched by the state last week to provide rent and utility assistance to eligible low- and moderate-income renters experiencing financial stress due to COVID-19. Since the program’s launch, Cooper said 12,000 applicants have applied, and that people can apply by calling 211 or going to nc211.org/hope.
“Every single one of those applications represents a family having to make impossible choices between basic necessities during a global pandemic,” he said. “We know the needs will surpass the amount we have. We need more and more support from Washington, and we need it soon — we’ll continue working on ways to support North Carolinians.”
Secretary Cohen shared COVID-19 data and trends in the state, emphasizing that North Carolinians must continue wearing a mask and socially distancing to lower the number of cases. She also referenced resources from the state’s website for hosting safe gatherings.
“Ignoring the virus does not make it go away; just the opposite,” Cohen said. “The past two weeks, we’ve seen an increase in COVID-19 clusters in social gatherings, things like informal get togethers and family gatherings and parties. We’ve also seen an increase in cases from clusters in religious gatherings.”
North Carolina entered Phase 3 on Oct. 2, which allowed bars, entertainment businesses and large outdoor venues to open with capacity restrictions, while restaurant, brewery and mass gathering limits remained the same. Since Cooper announced a three-phased reopening this past spring — based on metrics including cases, hospitalizations and testing — the state has remained paused in multiple phases, but it has not yet moved backward.
Prior to taking questions from members of the media, Cooper reminded North Carolinians, once again, to “keep doing what works.”
“Wearing a mask shows that you care about people — it’s more for them than for you,” he said. “Wearing a mask is an easy way to protect our communities and to look out for each other. Confronting the virus head on and doing our part as individuals is good for our health and it’s good for our economy; let’s keep working together.”
The governor’s extension of Phase 3 is currently set to expire Nov. 13, 10 days after Election Day. Cooper, a Democrat, is seeking re-election as governor against Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who wants to lift restrictions in the state and has said he would end the statewide mask mandate if elected.
Reporter Hannah McClellan can be reached at hannah@chathamnr.com.
