WFMY News 2 is providing daily coronavirus updates with the latest information from emergency leaders, the state's task force, health departments, universities, school districts and a lot more.
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020
10:19 p.m. - Rockingham County Schools will stop delivering meals to homes by buses.
We have an important COVID-19 update for you. On Monday, March 16, Rockingham County Schools opened feeding sites for RCS families at Leaksville Spray Elementary, Moss Street Partnership School, and McMichael High School. We also delivered meals to homes by buses. However, RCS will discontinue the delivery of meals to homes by buses as of Friday, April 3, 2020. We have made this very hard decision today in an effort to protect the safety of our community and our staff.
RCS received notification that there have been three child nutrition employees in other districts that tested positive for COVID-19 because of community spread. Therefore, we feel it is in the best interest for our child nutrition staff and our community if we limit the exposure of these employees out into the community. It is not possible at this time to implement social distancing and safety precautions when delivering meals to homes or bus stops due to CDC and USDA recommendations.
We will continue to provide meals at all three feeding sites at Moss Street Partnership School, Leaksville Spray Elementary, and McMichael High School. Families can pick up meals at these sites Monday-Friday from 11:30-1:00 through a grab and go option. Please remain in your car during meal distribution. Children 18 and under will be given lunch and breakfast for the following day at pick up. We continue to practice safety precautions and social distancing at all of our sites. We thank you for your understanding and support of our decision as we know COVID-19 exposure is increasing in our community and we know we need to take extra precautions for everyone’s safety.
9:00 p.m. 'Last responders' brace for impact of coronavirus pandemic
"Any infectious disease that someone passes from, we have to deal with it," said Buryl Garnett-Sumpter, an independent mortician.
8:00 p.m. Cone Health Employee pens handwritten letter to Best Buy for providing life-saving technology
7:30 p.m. - Do you need help finding food for your child? Text FOODNC to 877-877.
You can also call 2-1-1 to speak with an operator 24/7 who can help locate meal sites and other resources.
7:55 p.m. - UNC is waiving tuition and fees in April for an online nurse refresher theory course to help licensed nurses in our state quickly get back into the field to fight COVID-19.
6:00 p.m. - The Unemployment Insurance Benefits Support Benefit previously scheduled for Tuesday, April 7 from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Davie County Public Library has been postponed.
The NCWorks Career Center staff will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to provide assistance by phone at (336) 464-0520. Individuals can file claims on-line at www.des.nc.gov or by phone at 888-737-0259. Those requiring additional support in applying for Unemployment Insurance Benefits are encouraged to reach out to their local career center at (336) 464-0520
3:45 p.m. - The Randolph County Public Health Department reports the first COVID-19 associated death in Randolph County. The patient was in their 60’s and had several underlying medical conditions, officials said.
3:27 p.m. - North Carolina passenger rail service reduced
Starting April 6, Carolinian trains 79 and 80 will not operate until May 4. Piedmont trains 75 and 76 are running one daily round trip between Raleigh and Charlotte.
Amtrak is waiving change fees on all existing reservations until May 31. Passengers can modify their trip on Amtrak.com, or find their reservation on the home screen in the Amtrak app. To cancel a reservation with no fee, passengers must call 800-BY-TRAIN and speak with an agent (not available via Amtrak.com or the app).
3:15 p.m. - KFC team members from the Bessemer Ave. location recently visited their neighbors in the Claremont Homes community and distributed 100 $5 Fill Up meal boxes and learning packets for the children who are currently unable to attend school.
3:10 p.m. - The Burlington Police Department received 100 cotton protective masks for their officers thanks to OT Sports on Boone Street.
1:15 p.m. - The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest will temporarily close.
The department said they will be restricting all public access to the park until further notice effective 5 p.m., Friday.
1:00 p.m. - The Davidson County Sheriff's Office notified the public that one of their deputy's tested positive for the coronavirus.
The sheriff's office said they do not believe the deputy came into close contact with citizens while showing symptoms.
12:56 p.m. - Three Rockingham County residents tested positive for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) with one death. (But as of this morning, four Rockingham County residents tested positive).
Rockingham County provides update on COVID-19 response and latest safety efforts.
12:38 p.m. - State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA was released from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center after five days of treatment due to symptoms related to the COVID-19 virus.
A little more than a week ago, he was diagnosed with the virus.
12:25 p.m. - Effective at 5 p.m. Friday, April 3, Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest will be temporarily closed, restricting all public access until further notice.
All trails, trailheads, forest facilities, parking areas and Rendezvous Mountain State Forest Game Land are unavailable to the public during this period of closure.
12:19 p.m. - Guilford County Public Health was notified there are 88 cases of COVID-19 in Guilford County.
Guilford County has had 4 deaths.
11:35 a.m. - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports there are 2,093 positive cases of coronavirus statewide and 19 coronavirus-related deaths.
11:30 a.m. - Forsyth County officials say they saw 17 new cases added overnight, which brings the total in the county to 80.
Officials said they can no longer tell which cases are coming from community spread and which ones are coming from people who have traveled.
Out of the 80 cases, 31 people have recovered in Forsyth County. We'll have more details on the cases after the county's 2 p.m. press conference.
10 a.m. - Statewide Housing Advocates Presser about Housing Safety & COVID-19- Statewide housing advocates call on Governor Roy Cooper, along with state and local elected officials, to put measures in place that will guarantee shelter, safety, and stability for all North Carolinians during the COVID-19 crisis.
9:15 a.m. - Timothy Cox shared how the donated face masks were being worn by medical staff with Wake Forest Baptist Health.
5:45 a.m. - Reconsidered Goods of Greensboro is putting together face mask kit bags.
Paige Cox with Reconsidered Goods places them on the fence of her home and encourages people to pick them up and follow the instructions.
Each face mask kit bag makes 50 masks.
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 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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