GREENSBORO, N.C. — WFMY News 2 is providing coronavirus updates with the latest information from emergency leaders, the state's task force, health departments, universities, school districts and a lot more. Click here to see the latest cases being reported in North Carolina.
CLOSINGS/DELAYS
Businesses and organizations are announcing closings. Get the latest list of closings and delays, right here.
You can also text keyword CLOSINGS to 336-379-5775 to get it even faster to your phone.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
6:07 p.m. - President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force provide update.
4:40 p.m. - President Donald Trump provides updates regarding the stimulus package.
- President Trump says the package is “going to go a long way” and “make a lot of people happy”.
- U.S. officials say this is the biggest rescue package in history. The stimulus bill will send $1,200 checks to most Americans.
- Officials say small businesses will be able to hire their employees back and says needed resources will be furnished to help small business owners.
- U.S. Officials say the package will provide help to Americans who have lost jobs at no fault of their own.
- President Trump says before the virus outbreak the country was facing “the greatest economy in the history of our country”.
4:20 p.m. - Governor Roy Cooper says the state encourages Law Enforcement to abide by the order and says it is a serious order to abide by.
- Governor Cooper said he decided for the stay-at-home order to be implemented Monday at 5 p.m. in order to allow time for businesses to close. And addressed his thoughts regarding stimulus checks and says he sees it as a positive.
4:10 p.m. - North Carolina officials said businesses can remain open and will not require any extra credentials, permits, or documentation to remain open during Governor Roy Cooper's statewide 'stay-at-home' order.
- North Carolina officials say staying homes can save lives, to stand six feet away from others, wash your hands, cough into your elbows.
- Officials say standing apart from others reduces the spread of the virus.
- North Carolina officials say they need less people to get sick at the same time to not overwhelm North Carolina’s medical capacity and so each person’s medical need can be addressed.
4:02 p.m. - Old Salem Museums & Gardens temporarily lays off hourly employees due to the impact of COVID-19.
4:01 p.m. - NC Governor Roy Cooper orders statewide 'stay-at-home' order. The order will come into effect on Monday at 5 p.m. Gov. Cooper said violation of the order could lead to a Class 2 misdemeanor but hopes citizens will voluntarily 'stay-at-home.'
1:35 p.m. - The House passed the $2 trillion economic bailout package that will help struggling Americans during the coronavirus crisis.
1:30 p.m. - The city of Kernersville has issued a stay-at-home order. It will go into effect tonight at 5 p.m. and will end on April 16 at midnight. Kernersville's order falls under the same guidelines as Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, according to a release from city officials.
RELATED: 'This is not a lockdown' | Winston-Salem city leaders explain what a stay-at-home order means
12:00 p.m. - Seven new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Forsyth County since yesterday’s daily briefing was issued, according to a release from the health department. The county’s total case count is now at 24.
- 15 of the cases are travel-related
- 8 cases are considered community spread
- 1 case is being investigated
- Of the 24 cases, 6 cases have been resolved
11:43 a.m. - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports 763 cases of coronavirus in the state and 3 coronavirus-related deaths.
10:28 a.m. - Randolph County Public Health received notification that there are eight cases of novel coronavirus in the county. According to the NCDHHS coronavirus map, there are 67 cases with no deaths in the 12 NC Piedmont-Triad counties.
9:00 a.m. - The City of Lexington issued stay-at-home recommendations that go into effect on Saturday, March 28.
- In anticipation of a statewide declaration by the NC Governor and/or on a local level, citizens in the City of Lexington are encouraged to stay at home and only seek medical assistance, food or other essential services to sustain the well-being of him/herself or his/her family.
- The curfew starts Saturday, March 28 at 9:00 p.m. The curfew is daily from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. March 28 through Saturday, April 18.
- Click here to see the full declaration.
8:30 a.m. - Governor Cooper introduced a new texting service for parents who need food assistance for their children. Parents can text FOODNC to 877-877 to find nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.
What you need to know on Friday:
- Stay-at-home orders for multiple Triad cities, including Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem go into effect TODAY at 5 p.m. Click here to see where you can and can't go.
- North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. We will stream it LIVE in this story.
- The House will vote today on the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package.
- Will social security and disability recipients get stimulus checks? The short answer is yes -- for now. But you'll have to file a 2019 return to get it.
THURSDAY, MARCH 26:
10:30 p.m. - The City of Burlington has declared a local State of Emergency.
This Declaration will take effect at 8:00am on Friday, March 27, 2020. The City seeks to coordinate, provide, and request additional supplies and mutual aid and other financial assistance from the state and federal government through declaration of this State of Emergency. Additionally, the State of Emergency imposes restrictions and prohibitions deemed necessary to maintain order and protect public health, safety, and welfare.
The State of Emergency is applicable within the jurisdiction of the City of Burlington and is subject to enforcement by the Burlington Police Department. The City encourages cooperation and aims to achieve voluntary compliance for the health and wellbeing of our community. The State of Emergency will remain in place until 5 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Restrictions beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 27 include:
- All public and private gatherings of ten or more people are prohibited. A social gathering is defined as any event or convening that brings together more than ten persons in a single room or single space at the same time. Single spaces include both confined indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Specific guidance regarding gatherings for funerals and burials
- All events held on public grounds or hosted by the City of Burlington have been postponed.
- All indoor recreation centers are closed, and all recreation programs are canceled.
- All rentals of Burlington Recreation & Parks facilities/properties are canceled.
- Outdoor public parks will remain open (including Golf Course and Marinas).
- No organized play is to be permitted at City sports fields or courts.
- Public and private communal playgrounds are closed.
- City Council’s April 6, 2020 Strategic Planning Workshop and Work Session, April 7, 2020 City Council Meeting, and April 21 City Council Meeting have been canceled.
View the full text of the City of Burlington State of Emergency online here: https://www.burlingtonnc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18153/City-of-Burlington-State-of-Emergency-3-26-20
For all current City of Burlington cancelation and operational modifications go to www.BurlingtonNC.gov/coronavirus.
Call the Alamance County COVID-19 Call Center 336-290-0361 for general Coronavirus (COVID-19) questions or information regarding the County’s response.
9:30 p.m. - Greensboro has more ICU beds per person than the national average.
Cone Health has 97 ICU beds in Greensboro. That's 33 ICU beds for every 100,000 people in our city which puts us above the national average of 29.
9:00 p.m. - YES! Social Security and disability recipients will get stimulus checks!
The details are still being figured out, but at this point, it appears recipients of social security, disability and SSI will get stimulus checks.
As of right now, social security benefit recipients and social security disability, as well as supplemental social security recipients, are entitled to the stimulus payment,” explains financial expert Scott Braddock.
Most adults will get about $1,200. There’s an additional $500 for each child under the age of 16.
8:03 p.m. - The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is asking for people to stop calling 911 to ask stay-at-home order questions.
The 911 system is currently overwhelmed by non-emergency calls.
For answers to frequently asked questions, click HERE.
Get the list of what's open and closed right to your phone by texting keyword STAY to 336-379-5775.
7:30 p.m. - After a Triad boy had his birthday Disney World Make-A-Wish dream canceled amid the coronavirus, the Greensboro Police Department stepped up in a huge way!
7:00 p.m. - The City of Graham has issued a Stay-at-Home order effective Friday, March 27 at 5:00 p.m. until April 16.
6:55 p.m. - Nearly 13,000 coronavirus tests have been completed in our state but some people--tested days ago--are still waiting on their results.
As testing increases, so do the number of confirmed cases but a Yadkin County woman has been waiting more than a week for her results.
6:30 p.m. - Gildan Yarns, a yarn manufacturing company located in Eden, N.C., is donating N95 masks to Rockingham County Health and Human Services to help aid in the shortage.
6:15 p.m. - HondaJet Elite production in Greensboro will temporarily suspend production due to a decline in market demand amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Honda Aircraft Company said it will suspend production for ten days beginning March 30, with plans to resume production on April 14.
6:10 p.m. - If the coronavirus outbreak is a war, doctors and nurses are the soldiers on the frontline.
Savannah Hayes is battling the virus at one of Novant Health’s screening centers ion Winston-Salem.
6:00 p.m. - Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro will close tomorrow at 5 p.m. Restaurants will offer takeout or delivery only.
Get the list of what's open and closed right to your phone by texting keyword STAY to 336-379-5775.
5:29 p.m. - Davidson County reports fourth case of coronavirus
5:15 p.m. - Surry County reports first case of coronavirus
5:10 p.m. - Greensboro neighbors spread joy!
Neighbors packed their cards, honked horns, and held up signs letting others know we're all in this together.
5:00 p.m. UnitedHealth group to invest $50 million in the fight against COVID-19.
UnitedHealth Group said it will support those most directly impacted by the public health emergency, including health care workers, hard-hit states, seniors and people experiencing food insecurity or homelessness.
4:45 p.m. - Zoos across the country are helping keep kids occupied during self-isolation. Check out the North Carolina Zoo videos!
4:08 p.m. - Friendly Center will close effective March 27 at 5 p.m. until further notice.
Essential businesses, as well as certain restaurants, remain open for take-out or delivery orders. https://bit.ly/2Ux4kJe
Get the list of what's open and closed right to your phone by texting keyword STAY to 336-379-5775.
4:00 p.m. - Hanes Mall will close by 5 p.m. on March 27. Certain restaurants will remain open for takeout and curbside pickup or delivery services.
In accordance with the order issued by the City of Winston-Salem on March 25, Hanes Mall will close effective March 27 at 5 p.m. until further notice. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
The United States Post Office remains open. To access the Post Office, please park on the upper level between Belk and JCPenney and call the security phone number posted on the mall entrance.
Certain restaurants remain open for take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery services only, please call ahead.
Get the list of what's open and closed right to your phone by texting keyword STAY to 336-379-5775.
3:45 p.m. - Alamance-Burlington Schools handed out Chromebooks to 7th graders who need them.
Next week, elementary schools will distribute Chromebooks to any student in grades 2-5 who needs one to continue online learning at home.
3:21 p.m. - Lowes Foods is adjusting its store hours to be open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. seven days a week to allow more time for cleaning and to provide additional support for store hosts.
Lowes Foods will continue to dedicate 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday as shopping hours for seniors and others who are vulnerable to COVID-19.
The new hours are effective Thursday, March 26, 2020
Get the list of what's open and closed right to your phone by texting keyword STAY to 336-379-5775.
2 p.m. - NC health and emergency officials are giving an update on the state's coronavirus response.
Here's what we're learning:
- The average age of those with coronavirus is 41.
- There are 636 cases of the virus over 50 North Carolina counties
- Two deaths have been confirmed.
- Use 211, not 911 for coronavirus concerns
1:45 p.m. - NCDHHS is reporting the second death from coronavirus in North Carolina. The person is from Harnett County where there are a total of 11 cases, according to the NCDHHS map. The first death was out of Cabarrus County.
10:20 a.m. - Coronavirus cases are up to 636 in North Carolina, according to the NCDHHS website. At least 12,910 tests were reported. Guilford County is reporting 24 cases.
9 a.m. - Surry County Public Health has its first confirmed case of coronavirus. The health department says the person is doing well and is in isolation at their home.
7:45 a.m. - Join our digital newscast AFTER GMS. We'll bring you the latest updates on coronavirus, the stay-at-home orders for our area, and something to make you smile.
Thursday morning notes:
- Late last night, the Senate passed a $2 trillion rescue package to help Americans struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill heads to the House for approval next.
- Stay-at-home orders go into effect for many Triad cities starting tomorrow at 5 p.m. Here's where you can and can't go.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25:
10:45 p.m. - Winston-Salem Police said they will enforce the stay-at-home order even if it means issuing citations.
WSPD will enforce the order through education, dialogue, and seeking voluntary cooperation from all residents and businesses. If voluntary cooperation is not achieved WSPD is equipped to enforce these restrictions through citations.
Get the list of what's open and closed right to your phone by texting keyword STAY to 336-379-5775.
9:15 p.m. - High Point University student tests positive for COVID-19.
The University was informed by health officials that the student who is currently at home in isolation and out-of-state tested positive for COVID-19.
9:00 p.m. - President Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for North Carolina.
FEMA announced federal emergency aid is now available to the state. The emergency financial aid will help the state and local recovery efforts impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
8:30 p.m. - Kontoor Brands employee tests positive for COVID-19.
The company has notified employees who were in contact with the employee prior to the onset of symptoms and have asked them to self-quarantine.
6:49 p.m. - What you can and can't do under the stay-at-home order
Get the full list of what's open and closed right to your phone by texting keyword STAY to 336-379-5775.
What is allowed?
• Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store
• Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities
• Visit a health care professional for medical services that cannot be provided virtually (call first)
• Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru
• Care for or support a friend or family member
• Take a walk, ride your bike, jog and be in nature for exercise – just keep at least six feet between you and others.
• Walk your pets
• Take pets to the vet
• Help someone to get necessary supplies
• Receive deliveries from any business which delivers
What isn’t allowed?
• Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this Order
• Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
• Get closer than six feet from others
• Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or other residential care facility, except for limited purposes as provided on the facility websites
• Travel except for essential travel and activities
Get the list of what's open and closed right to your phone by texting keyword STAY to 336-379-5775.
5:30 p.m. - WFMY News 2 is still getting a lot of questions about unemployment. These links could help as you find out more about unemployment options.
RELATED: Looking for work? Career Center of the Carolinas helps find jobs for those impacted by coronavirus
Find out even more here: Where you can and can’t go under the stay-at-home order
4 p.m. - Greensboro, High Point, and Guilford County officially announce joint stay-at-home order.
Effective Friday at 5 p.m., the order will run through April 16.
The order is to keep residents at home, avoiding normal day-to-day activities, business, and trips beyond what is needed to take care of essential services and activities. Residents are allowed to go to grocery stores, pharmacies, health care appointments, and outdoor exercise while exercising proper social distancing. Restaurants are permitted to offer take-out and delivery service.
The full declaration from the city includes a list businesses considered essential. The city also has a helpline for folks with more questions about the declaration: 336-641-7527. There is also an email function you can use on the city's website.
3:03 p.m. Winston-Salem issues stay-at-home order.
Effective Friday at 5 p.m., Mayor Joines is ordering all city residents to stay home. The order exempts essential businesses and services and lists the circumstances under which residents may venture out of their homes.
2:15 p.m. - Greensboro, High Point, and Guilford County officials plan to issue a joint stay-at-home order today at 4 p.m., city and county leaders said in a press release.
2 p.m. - Governor Cooper and the coronavirus task force gave an update on the state's response to coronavirus.
- Governor Cooper said a number of patients in North Carolina are in hospitals, and some are in critical condition.
- Governor Cooper said state leaders are working on additional measures to put into place to slow the spread of the virus.
- Governor Cooper said today we join together to mourn for the families who have lost loved ones. State leaders said two people have died in North Carolina - one person from Cabarrus County and one person from Virginia who was traveling to our state.
- NC Emergency Management's Mike Sprayberry said if you would like to send medical supplies to state officials to be distributed, email beoc@ncdps.gov.
- More national guardsmen have been helping allocate medical supplies to be delivered to health agencies across the state.
- Governor Cooper has not yet issued a statewide stay-at-home mandate. "We want people to stay home," Cooper said. "It's important for us to make sure that we are deliberate and that we get this right."
- "We will be issuing additional orders soon," Cooper said.
1:00 p.m. - Sheetz announced it is giving $3/hour raises to its store employees for working tirelessly to keep shelves stocked during the coronavirus pandemic. The company is also looking to hire 1,300 people for full-time and part-time positions.
11:19 a.m. - First coronavirus death reported in North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first COVID-19 associated deaths. A person from Cabarrus County died on March 24 from complications associated with the virus. The patient was in their late seventies and had several underlying medical conditions. Another person who was traveling to North Carolina from Virginia died from the virus.
"This is a stark warning that for some people COVID-19 is a serious illness. All of us must do our part to stop the spread by staying at home as much as possible and practicing social distancing,” said Governor Roy Cooper.
10:40 a.m. - The coronavirus numbers have reached 504 in North Carolina, according to the NCDHHS website. Guilford County is now reporting 22 cases. Forsyth County is reporting 15.
10 a.m. - Greensboro Police Department announces it will close its public headquarters beginning Thursday, March 26. Police will continue to respond to calls for service with no interruptions.
7:45 a.m. - Join us for our digital newscast that we like to call AFTER GMS. We'll bring you the latest headlines on coronavirus and have a look at your forecast.
Wednesday notes:
- Federal leaders approved a $2 trillion stimulus package to boost the economy in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.
- Today at 5 p.m., Governor Cooper's executive order goes into effect to close hair and nail salons, barbershops, sweepstakes parlors, bowling alleys, massage parlors, and more amid the coronavirus pandemic. Click here to see a list of businesses that will need to close.
- Guilford County commissioners and management ordered new restrictions that will go into effect at 5 p.m. tonight. The declaration limits gatherings of 10 people or more and prohibits the use of public and privately-owned playgrounds. The order is not for playgrounds at people's homes.
- A Greensboro boy is spreading joy by displaying kind messages from the front yard of his home. 9-year-old Charlie Thompson said he knows people may feel sad or depressed about coronavirus, so he wanted to do something every day to cheer his neighbors up.
FACTS NOT FEAR
Remember facts, not fear when talking about the coronavirus. You should take the same measures recommended by health leaders to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses. That means washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, and covering coughs and sneezes.
WHERE YOU GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS IS IMPORTANT
It is important to make sure the information you are getting about the coronavirus is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. Be careful not to spread misinformation about coronavirus on social media.
NC CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE
The state also has a special hotline set up where you can call 2-1-1 or 866-462-3821 for more information on the coronavirus. You can also submit questions online at ncpoisoncontrol.org or select chat to talk with someone about the virus.
You can also text keyword VIRUS to WFMY News 2 at 336-379-5775 to find out more information.
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