GREENSBORO, N.C. — 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.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020
6:45 p.m. - Carter Brothers Barbecue Ribs and Catering in High Point announced they are closing for good.
The business shared the news through a Facebook post. The end of the post acknowledged former employees, customers, and family members.
The company said after spending more than $100,000 on bills while closed, the forecast for restaurants to reopen has become “worse and worse”.
2:00 p.m. - Gov. Roy Cooper held a press briefing with other members of the state coronavirus task force. Last week, Cooper made two big announcements: he extended the stay-at-home order to May 8 and introduced a three-phase reopening plan, and he canceled all in-person schooling for the remainder of 2019-2020 school year. Here are a few notes from his Tuesday press conference:
- We're seeing some leveling of cases, Cooper said.
- Today, the budget session begins for the state. Legislators will work to get more federal funding for North Carolina.
- Yesterday, the NCDHHS announced a partnership to help with contact tracing. It's like detective work for figuring out where someone first became infected with the virus and what other close contacts may be infected.
- More than 900 National Guardsmen have been activated to help with food banks and distributing PPE.
- "We can't let our guard down just yet."
- NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen is asking state and federal leaders to consider expanding Medicaid, so low-income families can get the healthcare they need during this time.
- Cooper said we want to be able to get our testing up to the point where if someone tests positive in a workplace, we can then test other people in that workplace. Doing so will help North Carolina with understanding when it will be safe to ease restrictions.
- Cooper said we'll look at the possibility of going into Phase 1 of the reopening phase on May 8, as long as the numbers support this. They're also looking at possible reopening phases for regions of the state.
- We’re seeing some leveling and I hope to see more, he said.
- Cooper said it is imperative North Carolinians continue to social distance, continue practicing careful cleaning techniques, and continue staying home.
- Cooper said contact tracing is critical to our ability to be able to ease state restrictions.
- He said “time is of the essence.”
- Cooper said the process of having testing and tracing “humming well” will allow for the easing of restrictions.
- Director Mike Sprayberry reiterated how the initiative is working aggressively to find personal protective equipment better known as "PPE" for first responders.
- And said $8.2 million in PPE equipment was delivered yesterday.
- “We’ve distributed face shields, face masks, and soap to 14 locations,” he said.
- Sprayberry said the initiative received 40 PPE requests yesterday and have received 45 requests as of 2 p.m. Tuesday.
12:30 p.m. - The group Reopen NC protested the governor's stay-at-home order for a third time in Raleigh on Tuesday. The group said it plans to continue protesting until Gov. Cooper lifts his order.
Reopen NC group protests for third time
11 a.m. - Thirty-six more people have died from coronavirus in North Carolina in the last 24 hours, according to an update from the NCDHHS. This brings the total deaths to 342 statewide. There are now 9,568 confirmed coronavirus cases in the state - an increase of 426 cases since yesterday.
9:05 a.m. - Members of Jamestown Presbyterian Church will drive through and drop off food and supplies Thursday.
Everything collected from the 500 members will go to local organizations that support the homeless and those in need during the pandemic.
The event starts at 1 p.m.
9 a.m. - A dog from Chapel Hill, North Carolina is believed to be the first known canine in the United States that has tested positive for the new coronavirus. Winston the pug took part in a Duke University study with his family.
7:45 a.m. - More remote learning, wearing masks, or eating lunch separately? How should students be protected from coronavirus once they finally go back to the classroom? Join the live conversation on AFTER GMS.
Tuesday news to note:
- A Guilford County Schools budget meeting opened up a conversation about what the 2020-2021 school year will look like. As students look forward to getting back in the classroom next year, Superintendent Dr. Contreras said we should plan for the possibility of at least some continued online learning.
- Two residents of a Guilford County nursing home died from coronavirus. Clapps Nursing Home had an outbreak and 23 residents tested positive for COVID-19.
- A Winston-Salem nurse is on the frontlines for the fight against coronavirus, and she's in one of America's hardest-hit hospitals.
- North Carolina has 9,142 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Monday. 306 people have died.
- Gov. Cooper and the state's coronavirus task force will hold a press briefing at 2 p.m. today. You can watch it live in this story.
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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