Coronavirus local updates: Atrium Health to open more screening sites this week

CHARLOTTE, N.C.– More than 2.4 million people worldwide– consisting of more than 760,000 people in the United States– have actually been contaminated with the brand-new coronavirus, and the variety of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise. Officials are trying to consist of the COVID-19 break out in the U.S. as medical facilities manage unmatched client surges.

>> Scroll listed below for live, local real-time minute-by-minute updates

Possible press conference arranged for today

Mecklenburg County: (3 p.m.)

North Carolina Task Force: (2 p.m.)

South Carolina Job Force (4 p.m.)

White House Job Force: (5 p.m.)

>> Have concerns about the coronavirus pandemic and its influence on the Carolinas? We have an entire area devoted to coverage of the break out– CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE

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>> Here are the most recent updates about COVID-19, the illness brought on by the unique coronavirus, in North Carolina and South Carolina. Scroll below for real-time updates.

Live, regional updates from Monday:

Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris says there have actually been 1,213 residents who have actually tested positive for COVID-19 which 31 individuals have died.

19,400 tests have been finished from March 11 through April 19.

289 tests were finished over the weekend at Atrium and Novant’s brand-new websites.

Another baby under the age of 1 has actually been contaminated. The overall of babies contaminated is 3, and they have all been doing well.

8 long-term care centers have break outs, Harris says.

Regarding reopening Mecklenburg County, Harris states there are still restrictions in screening, access to PPE and other supplies.

Without solving the screening and PPE obstacles, Harris says it is tough to state the county will be opened back up on April 29.

“Anytime you open something in one area and not in others, there will be some impact,” Harris states. If South Carolina restrictions are loosened before Mecklenburg County’s, Harris anticipates some impact.

When asked if NASCAR can hold a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway next month, Harris said, “I have no idea.”

County Supervisor Dena Diorio says County Lawyer Tyrone Wade is still looking into whether Mecklenburg County can extend the stay at house order without all of the towns on board. She wishes to have a response today or tomorrow.

Governor Roy Cooper on Monday joined a call with the Vice President and governors from around the country. On that call, Gov. Cooper gave an update on what North Carolina is doing through its Screening Rise Workgroup to increase screening in North Carolina. In specific, the Governor highlighted efforts to diversify the supply chain for testing so that labs aren’t all relying on the same supplies from the very same suppliers.

Guv Cooper said he made clear that North Carolina still needs more materials and personal protective devices from the federal government.

“I appreciate the open lines of communication that North Carolina has with the White House,” Cooper said. “Right now, North Carolina has 14 laboratories able to check for COVID-19, however to continue increasing our screening numbers we require assistance from the federal government getting more screening materials and individual protective devices. More testing is essential to be able to start lifting restrictions in a safe method.”

Petroleum rates plunge to listed below $1 a barrel

U.S. crude prices dropped more than 100%and turned negative for the very first time in history on Monday as traders continue to worry over a depression in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic. The rate of the nearby oil futures contract, which ends Tuesday, was the hardest hit, removing from later month futures contracts with a drop of more than 100%.

Rates for West Texas Intermediate, the American benchmark of crude oil, plummeted to under $1 a barrel, the most affordable rates on record.

WTI Crude oil futures saw their biggest single-day drop of more than 90%.

Some are attributing the drop to the sharp decline in need for oil amid the pandemic with services closed and take a trip reduced. In addition, there is excess supply and lack of places to save the oil.

NCDHHS press secretary Mandy Cohen reports that COVID-19 deaths in the state of North Carolina have actually gone beyond influenza deaths for this year. Cohen said the state had 167 flu deaths this previous season.

As of Monday afternoon, North Carolina reports 179 people have actually passed away from COVID-19

“Keep In Mind for COVID-19 we had our first laboratory-confirmed case on March 3,” Cohen stated. “Our very first death reported was on March 24 and that was less than a month back. In less than a month, we have actually currently gone beyond influenza deaths for this year.”

Cohen said in a news conference on Monday that COVID-19 is now the leading cause of death in the United States.

“It is very important to bear in mind that our death rate would have been worse (if not for social distancing measures),” Cohen said.

NCDHHS to Offer Extra Food Advantages for More than 800,000

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that North Carolina has actually been authorized for the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, to assist families buy food for kids impacted by school closings due to COVID-19 NCDHHS is working to operationalize the program and households will begin to receive this benefit in coming weeks.

“Many households remain in requirement, specifically with so many out of work right now. This approval assists individuals get help faster to feed their households,” said Guv Cooper.

The program provides a benefit on an EBT card to North Carolina families whose kids are qualified totally free and lowered lunch at school. Families will receive $250 in P-EBT benefits per child, provided in 2 installments, with the possibility of a fringe benefit if North Carolina schools are closed beyond May15 Families will be able to use the P-EBT advantage to acquire food products at EBT authorized sellers, including most major supermarket.

Households will not require to obtain the P-EBT program. P-EBT qualified households already getting Food and Nutrition Provider (FNS) benefits will get a fringe benefit on their existing EBT card. P-EBT eligible households not already enrolled in FNS will be mailed a brand-new EBT card in the next few weeks. Families who get a brand-new EBT card will get a letter from DHHS in the mail describing how to activate and utilize their card.

“As our schools closed, many families throughout the state stressed over where their next meals would originate from– and we knew we had to act,” said NC Department of Health and Human Being Provider Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “The P-EBT program will offer extra help buying groceries for the families of the more than 800,000 kids who generally receive complimentary and minimized lunch at school.”

North Carolina is one of the very first 4 states to receive federal approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to offer P-EBT advantages, which are entirely federally funded. The new P-EBT program remains in addition to other services households may be participating in. As announced formerly on March 30, 2020, all families that get Food and Nutrition Provider (FNS) will get the maximum amount permitted March and April 2020 for their family size. Households are motivated to continue utilizing feeding programs at regional school and neighborhood meal sites totally free, healthy meals for kids.

Due to the outbreak at one jail facility, the NC Division of Prisons momentarily suspended operations at another state jail center and strategically moved transgressors in assessment with state health experts. To support operations at the coronavirus-impacted Neuse Correctional Institution in Goldsboro, Prisons moved culprits out of Johnston Correctional Organization and reassigned personnel to Neuse CI.

“The staff at Neuse have actually been working in the hardest conditions, for weeks on end, and frantically required assistance,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “They are owed everyone’s thanks for their commitment to serving the general public, standing tall in their day-to-day obligations and assisting make sure safety of their co-workers and those in custody.”

Commissioner Ishee added his extension of a deep gratitude to those Johnston CI staff for stepping up to aid their associates. He said lots of across the system have shown their perseverance and ability at assisting manage a constantly changing scenario throughout the unmatched and continuous event.

A mass screening operation of the approximately 250 employees and 700 culprits at Neuse Correctional Organization has actually exposed an overall of 13 staff and more than 330 wrongdoers are contaminated with virus and 98 percent of those are asymptomatic. Another 197 test outcomes are pending.

The very first two wrongdoers at Neuse tested favorable for COVID-19 on April 2. As more tests returned as positive, Prisons took a proactive method and worked with the Department of Health and Human Providers, the State Lab for Public Health, LabCorp and the Wayne County Health Department in the major effort.

To bring personnel some help and to keep security at proper levels there, over the weekend Prisons’ Event Command employee took the following actions:

These movements, finished mostly on Saturday, maximized the personnel at the now-closed Johnston center for the majority to be reassigned to Neuse Correctional, situated about 23 miles away.

All transported wrongdoers were medically evaluated– consisting of temperature level checks– prior to they were transferred and when they reached their locations. On their arrival, they were all placed under 14- day medical quarantine and did not blend with the existing transgressor population already housed there.

“No transgressors from Neuse or any of those showing any symptoms were moved,” Commissioner Ishee said. “These very strategic relocations were carried out in assessment with medical experts and finished by following CDC guidelines.”

The transportation lorries were disinfected before and after each trip. The wrongdoers and staff were all outfitted with face masks. The transfers were finished without occurrence.

The Johnston CI staff must begin getting here to help their associates at Neuse CI over the next couple of days. The staff reassigned to Neuse CI, like their coworkers operating at the facility, will get supplemental pay while on this task.

A truckload of PPE was provided to the Neuse center on Saturday as five portable, massive disinfectant-dispersal units called Power Breezers were used to clean the facility from leading to bottom.

In addition, Prisons has taken more than three lots actions to lower the spread of COVID-19 in the prisons, and to include it within a facility if it does. Some of those actions include:

Mecklenburg County has released information on the modeling they are utilizing. Of note– on April 13, there were roughly 90 clients hospitalized in severe care centers in Mecklenburg County– about 1 in 4 were ventilated.

Employee at Charlotte CVS checks positive (declaration):

On Friday, April 17, we were informed that an employee at our shop on Kendall Drive in Charlotte tested favorable for COVID-19 The staff member has not been at work considering that Tuesday, April 9. The worker and any colleagues exposed to the employee have been placed under a 14- day quarantine consistent with CDC guidelines and are on paid leave.

CVS Drug store follows CDC cleaning guidance, which includes hourly cleansing of hard surfaces and more regular cleansing of commonly dealt with items. Our pharmacies are a crucial resource for the communities we serve and we’ll continue to be here for customers and clients in these trying times.

NCDMV Call Center in Bladen County is Closed, Pending Outcome of Employee Virus Test

A worker at the N.C. Division of Motor Cars Call Center in Bladen County is being checked for the coronavirus, so for the safety of its employees, the center has actually been temporarily closed, pending the test results.

Callers will not have the ability to get through on the 919-715-7000 customer support line. They are rather encouraged to send out any requests for help to the NCDOT/DMV Contact United States system at www.ncdot.gov/contact. Go to the area entitled Ask NCDMV a Concern, and choose the suitable link.

The call center service will resume operation as soon as it is identified it is safe for the workers to go back to work.

Typical staffing at the call center is about 140 customer support operators. To be within the social distancing specification recommendations from state and federal health officials, the facility staffing was adjusted to approximately 65 workers.

Atrium Health CEO Gene Woods is making a $1 million donation to the Atrium Health Caretaker Heroes Fund. Other Atrium executives are stepping up also to match with $1 million worth of donations for a total of $2 million.

The Atrium Health Caretaker Heroes Fund was established to provide Atrium workers with monetary help when they have actually suffered hardship triggered by devastating occasions beyond their control, including emergency support throughout COVID-19

North Carolina has actually launched Monday’s most current COVID-19 info:

The NCDHHS is reporting 6,764 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state, an increase of 271 from Sunday.

There have been 179 deaths in the state, up 7 from Sunday.

A total of 79,484 tests have been finished and there are currently 373 people hospitalized. That is 92 fewer individuals in the hospital from the day before.

Mecklenburg County continues to have the most favorable cases and deaths, with 1,210 and 29 respectively.

Positive cases age breakdown:

Of those who have evaluated positive, 54%are white and 39%are black.

51%of those who checked favorable are women, and 48%are men. Men comprise 64%of the deaths.

There are presently 37 break outs at nursing homes across the state (Burke, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Iredell, Mecklenburg (5 ), Rowan (2 ), Union).

There are presently 13 outbreaks at property care facilities (Cabarrus, Mecklenburg (4 ), Stanly, Union).

Throughout the state, 905 favorable cases have been reported at nursing homes, with 53 deaths.

There have been 182 cases reported at residential care centers, leading to 13 deaths.

There have been 505 cases reported at reformatories, with 5 deaths.

Closed Buildings Need to Flush Pipes

If you have an organisation, church or school structure that is closed or partly closed you need to flush your pipes (flush toilets/run faucets) at least biweekly.

Unless completely shut down there is always some water left in pipelines. If a structure is not in usage water in the pipes becomes stagnant. The City of Kannapolis Water Department advises that you flush pipes biweekly by turning on faucets for a couple of minutes and flushing toilets. This will decrease the threat of waterborne germs in your pipes. This will also keep water from being discolored or having an odor or taste due to the chemicals used in the water treating procedure.

Burke County reports two extra deaths

Burke County Public Health is reporting 2 additional COVID-19 associated deaths in Burke County bringing the total to eight deaths. These individuals, one in their late 40 s and the other in their early 80 s, died from issues connected with their hidden medical conditions, authorities said.

To secure the household’s personal privacy, no more info about the patient will be released.

“We extend our inmost acknowledgements to the loved ones of these individuals,” said Burke County Health Director Rebecca McLeod. “As our efforts continue to fight this infection, we hope that all individuals will continue to take the social distancing, the stay at home order and all other preventive procedures seriously. Infection cases will continue to increase if these measures continue to be overlooked or not practiced. We want to lessen the variety of deaths by securing at-risk individuals with underlying health conditions.”

Atrium Health is intending on opening these screening/testing websites this week. No consultation is needed.

In addition to first responders, city workers with these professions or in these departments could qualify for superior pay (5%):

Six individuals suing Dare County over their non-resident entry restriction are seeking an injunction.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is anticipated to make a big statement Monday– he is expected to share that some non-essential services could open as soon as Tuesday.

This would consist of outlet store, music and book shops and flea markets.

The re-openings do come standards. When they resume, the stores are anticipated to initially limit occupancy to 20 percent and while beach gain access to are anticipated to reopen, social distancing will still be imposed.

Local governments can likewise still make their own rules about waterway gain access to.

Health officials report two additional COVID-19 cases in Rowan County, bring the overall to 250.

Officials verified 5 more people have actually passed away due to the coronavirus in Mecklenburg County.