COVID-19 Updates

May 24-30, 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

• The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a $6 million federal grant to North Carolina to support job training and temporary employment opportunities for those laid off as a result of COVID-19.
• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has accelerated the timing for nearly $1.6 million in Medicaid payments that usually happen in the fall. Payments have now been distributed to more than 100 hospitals across the North Carolina.
• North Carolina continues efforts to distribute personal protective equipment to long-term care facilities, having distributed to 60 counties, Mike Sprayberry, director of N.C. Emergency Management, said. Meanwhile, supplies of isolation gowns and N-95 masks – two key items to support increased testing – are improving.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is using radio and video messages to reach historically marginalized populations with important messages about reducing risks for COVID-19. The messages are part of the department’s focus during the COVID-19 response to address the underlying causes of long-standing health disparities impacting communities of color across North Carolina.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

• By the end of this week, the N.C. Office of State Budget & Management’s newly formed Pandemic Recovery Office will have processed payments totaling more than $85.4 million for 62 counties, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday. The funds will help pay for health and public safety officials, telemedicine, personal protective equipment and more.
• North Carolina saw its highest one-day increase in positive cases and highest day of hospitalizations yet over the Memorial Day weekend. State officials said the virus remains a serious threat and North Carolinians cannot let down their guard.

May 17-23, 2020

Friday, May 22, 2020

• Gov. Roy Cooper has announced Count on Me NC, a new free online training program to help restaurants, hotels and other businesses learn the best ways to help protect customers and employees from COVID-19.
• North Carolina moves into Safer At Home Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions. A cautious step foward, Phase 2, runs through at least Friday, June 26, unless changed or canceled.
• As the state moves to Phase 2, a high of 738 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded Thursday, underscoring the need to proceed cautiously as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

• North Carolina will move into Safer At Home Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions at 5 p.m. Friday, May 22 and runs through at least Friday, June 26 unless changed or canceled.
• Although the state’s overall key indicators remain stable, the continued increases in daily case counts signals a need to take a more modest step forward in Phase 2 than originally envisioned.
   
  • View Phase 2 frequently asked questions (English | Spanish)
  • View public health guidance for Phase 2
  • View Executive Order 141 (English | Spanish)
  • View slideshow summary of trends as of May 20

Monday, May 18, 2020

• North Carolina continues its comprehensive push to distribute personal protective equipment to more than 3,800 licensed care facilities across the state, including nursing homes, adult care homes and more. Equipment includes a two-week supply of face shields, procedure masks, gloves, shoe covers and hand sanitizer.
• In the past seven days, an average of about 7,500 people have been tested per day. "With expanded guidance to health care providers on who should be tested and more sites available, we expect daily testing to continue to increase," Gov. Roy Cooper said at a news briefing.

May 10-16, 2020

Friday, May 15, 2020

• New guidance from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services recommends clinicians now test any patient suspected of having COVID-19 and provide access to testing, regardless of symptoms, for certain populations.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

• COVID-19 data and trends remain stable a week into Phase 1 of easing restrictions, but Gov. Roy Cooper continues to urge the public to stay home if they can. “Continued stability in these trends is a real positive for our state," said N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen. "While we remain on a good path for the 14-day trends we need to see to move to Phase 2, our progress as a state is still dependent on our individual actions."
• More testing for COVID-19 is becoming available at hospitals, doctor's offices and retail partners. View a list of locations offering low-cost of free testing. (Not all health care providers provide on-site testing.)

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

• Gov. Cooper issued Executive Order 139, which provides additional regulatory flexibility to help ensure capacity in the state’s health care system and improve its ability to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• North Carolina is working with local manufacturers to shift their production to make critical medical supplies. The state’s Task Force for Emergency Repurposing of Manufacturing has partnered with the N.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Carolina Textile District and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina to identify and collaborate with manufacturers statewide who are able to pivot their operations to produce critical personal protective equipment.

Monday, May 11, 2020

• As of Monday, May 11, 9,115 patients are presumed to be recovered from COVID-19, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 Dashboard. Learn how this total is calculated in this summary.
• Since May 8, teams delivered personal protective equipment to 52 counties and four healthcare coalitions. Shipments included masks, gloves, face shields, goggles, hair and shoe covers, as well as a few gowns. Additionally, the N.C. National Guard has helped distribute more than 870,000 meals for food banks and more than 97,000 meals for schools. 

May 3-9, 2020

Friday, May 8, 2020

• As Phase 1 begins, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is focused on testing, tracing and trends. North Carolina ranks 15th in the nation regarding total number of tests completed, and eight out of the 10 past days, has reached the goal of 5,000 to 7,000 tests completed per day. While testing is on right track, it needs to increase, especially for North Carolina’s underserved communities. Securing sample collection supplies from the federal government, additional testing sites and expanded lab capacity will help meet testing goals.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

• Many health care facilities seeking to urgently hire staff for temporary, part-time or full-time roles. 
• North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services participants can now use their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to buy groceries online at authorized online EBT retailers. 

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

• Gov. Roy Cooper has signed Executive Order No. 138 to modify North Carolina’s Stay At Home order and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions, effective Friday, May 8 at 5 p.m.
  • View: FAQs | What's New in Phase 1 (English | Spanish)
• People should remember the three Ws when they leave home: wear a face covering; wait 6 feet apart from others; and wash your hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds.
• Just over half of North Carolina adults are at risk of severe COVID-19 disease because they are age 65 and over and/or have an underlying health condition.

Monday, May 4, 2020

• Joined by leaders of the N.C. General Assembly, Gov. Roy Cooper, on May 4, 2020, signed two bipartisan COVID-19 relief bills providing more than $1.5 billion in in emergency funding for critical expenditures related to public health and safety, educational needs, small business assistance and continuity of state government operations.

April 26-May 2, 2020

Thursday, April 30

• Gov. Roy Cooper "hopeful” trends will be stable enough to begin Phase 1 of a multi-phased plan to lift restrictions but urges North Carolinians not to let down their guard.

Wednesday, April 29

• The Stay at Home Order and the strong actions of North Carolinians are helping to slow the spread of COVID-19, according to new research from Duke University, NoviSci, RTI International and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. New research models from UNC Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research indicate a phased reopening will help avoid overwhelming our health care system. View the report.

Tuesday, April 28

• The Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) is being expanded to support staff who work in North Carolina’s child care programs. Hope4Healers also is now equipped with 24/7 call line support. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services launched the helpline in April in partnership with the North Carolina Psychological Foundation to provide mental health and resilience supports for health care professionals, other staff who work in health care settings, first responders and their families who are all experiencing stress from being on the front lines of the state’s COVID-19 response.

Monday, April 27

• Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative, a new partnership with Community Care of North Carolina and the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers is part of Gov. Roy Cooper’s initiative to slowly lift restrictions by focusing on testing, tracing and trends. Through this collaborative, up to 250 additional local staff will be hired and trained initially to support contact tracing efforts with the potential to add more. Recruitment will start immediately; interested applicants should visit the collaborative’s website.

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded the list of symptoms that might be associated with COVID-19. In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, other symptoms might include chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.

April 19-25, 2020

Friday, April 24

• Gov. Roy Cooper, along with state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson and N.C. State Board of Education Chairman Eric Davis, announced the decision to continue remote learning for the rest of  the 2019-2020 school year at K-12 public schools. Information on student grading for this school year will be sent to schools and parents soon. Teachers and school employees are to continue to work and they remain eligible to be paid. The opening of schools in summer and fall and the availability of summer camps are going to depend on meeting health guidelines.
• North Carolina has partnered with AT&T and Duke Energy to provide more than 180 hotspots for use in school buses to help students without home internet access. The state hopes to add more hotspots later.
• The governor also released a proposed budget that directs $1.4 billion in federal funding for immediate needs in the areas of:
   
  • Public health and safety (including personal protective equipment and increased testing)
  • Continuity of operations for education and other state government service (including funding to enhance remote teaching and learning capabilities)
  • Assistance to small businesses and local governments (including bridge loans and critical IT software as more services are transitioned online)

Thursday, April 23

• Gov. Roy Cooper on April 23 issued Executive Order 135, extending North Carolina’s Stay At Home order until May 8. Read the order. View FAQs
• Orders extending the closure of restaurants for dine-in service and bars and closure of other close-contact businesses have also been extended through May 8.
• Cooper also shared a three-phased approach, based on data, to lift restrictions. “The health and safety of people in North Carolina must be our top priority,” he said. “This plan provides a roadmap for us to begin easing restrictions in stages to push our economy forward.”

• Two groups made up of private and public leaders across North Carolina met to discuss the path forward when the state eases restrictions. The main topics of conversation were large gatherings and businesses.

• Vendors of personal protective equipment as well as industry representatives can now fill out an online form with offers for North Carolina to buy necessary supplies to successfully respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuesday, April 21

• Gov. Roy Cooper announced a new executive order allowing furloughed workers to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

• The N.C. Department of Health & Human Services received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to temporarily waive certain Medicaid policies as part of North Carolina’s response to the COVID-19. The waivers will provide flexibility to North Carolina Medicaid and providers to address the urgent health care needs of beneficiaries during this public health emergency.

Monday, April 20

• North Carolina has been approved for the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program, which will help families purchase food for children affected by school closings due to COVID-19. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is working to operationalize the program, and families will begin to receive this benefit in coming weeks.

April 12-18, 2020

Friday, April 17

• Gov. Roy Cooper announced that the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is working with academic partners across the state to understand how widespread cases of COVID-19 with mild or no symptoms are in the state and to monitor prevalence of the disease over time.
• NCDHHS convened a Testing Surge Workgroup to develop a plan to increase testing, expand testing sites and options, and address testing supply challenges, including the availability of personal protective equipment. 
• NCDHHS shared recommended strategies to support local solutions to maintain and sustain services for individuals with behavioral health needs and intellectual and developmental disabilities along with reducing the burden on emergency departments and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
• NC Medicaid is providing additional funding to support nursing homes and adult care homes for older adult Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with or at high risk of contracting COVID-19. COVID-19 guidance and resources for Medicaid providers are available online.

Thursday, April 16

• Staying home does not mean ignoring your health. Telehealth allows people to get health care services using a computer, tablet, smart phone or other technology. All insurance companies in the state, including Medicaid and Medicare, are covering healthcare visits through telehealth. Increasing access to affordable insurance coverage is an important way for our state to fight COVID-19. The easiest way to understand your health insurance options is go to HealthCare.gov.
• Staying at home and maintaining social distancing is keeping North Carolina ahead of the curve, ensuring our health care system is not overwhelmed. 
• While the supply chain is strong, there is a high demand for certain items, like meat and toilet paper. Please only buy what you need and leave enough for others. To help those in need, visit feedingthecarolinas.org.

Wednesday, April 15

• Gov. Roy Cooper charted a path forward for eventually easing certain COVID-19 restrictions while still protecting North Carolinians from a dangerous second wave of the virus. To ease restrictions, the state needs to make more progress in three areas: testing, tracing and trends.
• Expert modeling shows it would be dangerous to lift restrictions all at once because it would increase the chances that hospitals become overwhelmed and unable to care for severely ill patients. Changes in restrictions, Cooper said,  must protect public health, especially those who are most vulnerable to severe illness, including people over age 65, those with underlying health conditions and people living in congregate settings. 

Tuesday, April 14

• If you have recently lost or can no longer afford your health insurance, or if you are trying to purchase health insurance for the first time, learn about your options. You can also visit healthcare.gov. 
• Data on COVID-19 cases and hospital capacity in North Carolina is available on the NCDHHS dashboard. 

Monday, April 13

• New social distancing policies went into effect at 5 p.m. that require stores to limit the number of customers inside, mark 6 feet of distance near areas where people gather (such as checkout lines) and to disinfect routinely. Stores are also encouraged to provide hand sanitizer & face coverings for employees. Read the press release or view FAQs.
• N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry provided an update on supplies: surgical masks and gloves are being provided to hospitals, first responders and long-term care homes. All other forms of personal protective equipment remain in short supply, and the state is fulfilling requests in small quantities to meet the most critical needs.
• Nearly 1,200 medical professional volunteers are screened and ready to work if they are needed to support hospitals. More than 1,000 people are still going through the screening process. Food banks still need the public's help in keeping shelves stocked. Visit Feeding the Carolinas to learn more. 

April 5-11, 2020

Friday, April 10

• N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen thanks North Carolinians for staying home during this year's Passover and Easter celebrations. 

Thursday, April 9

• Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 131 which addresses three key areas:
  • The first requires retail stores that are still operating to implement new social distancing policies to make shopping safer for customers and employees.
  • The second makes earlier COVID-19 guidelines mandatory for nursing facilities, and recommends other long-term care facilities to do the same.
  • The third area is unemployment benefits, issuing changes that will speed up certain benefit payments to those who are out of work.
• Read questions and answers about this order. 

Wednesday, April 8

• Gov. Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina has received approval from FEMA to provide housing alternatives, such as hotels, motels and dormitories, for North Carolinians with unstable housing who might need to quarantine in response to or are at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Learn more.
• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has two new mental health resources to support North Carolinians throughout the COVID-19 crisis: Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) and the Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002). Learn more about these resources. 
• Cooper signed Executive Order 130 to provide more access to health care beds, expands the pool of health care workers and orders essential childcare services for workers responding to COVID-19.

Tuesday, April 7

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services established an Emergency Child Care Subsidy Program for essential workers as defined in Gov. Roy Cooper’s March 27 Executive Order 121. Essential worker emergency child care financial assistance will be offered through May and may be extended. To receive an emergency care subsidy, parents must complete the COVID-19 Parent Application for Financial Assistance for Emergency Child Care and submit it to their child care provider. Read the press release.
• Cooper, NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen and N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry shared an update on COVID-19 in North Carolina. 
  • New executive orders will be issued this week that will fast track child care for health care professionals and make more hospital bed space quickly available; and put social distancing limits in essential retailers.
  • FEMA has approved the state's request to set up housing alternatives for those who need it.
  • Monday's modeling forecast underscores how critical social distancing is to slow the spread of COVID-19. The interventions North Carolina has put in place are slowing the spread of the virus.

Monday, April 6

• Leading health scientists across public and private sectors presented information on predictive modeling data studying the spread of COVID-19 in North Carolina. These experts released a composite modeling forecast looking at how COVID-19 could affect North Carolina in the coming months, showing that social distancing is necessary to slow the spread and preserve hospital capacity to save lives. Participants included representatives from Duke University, RTI International and the University of North Carolina.
• Watch videos from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for resources and tips to stay informed and help your family stay healthy.

March 29-April 4, 2020

Friday, April 3

• Gov. Roy Cooper, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen and N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry shared an update on COVID-19 in North Carolina. 
   
  •  As the state enters the first weekend of the Stay at Home Order, Cooper reminded North Carolinians of the importance of staying home. "We are in a crucial period for flattening the curve - this means staying home, and if you absolutely must go out, stay at least six feet away from others."
  • The competition for personal protective equipment is massive. Because these items are in short supply, some manufacturers across the state have shifted their production lines to create these items.
  • With so many people working and learning from home, be sure to be cybersmart. Avoid online coronavirus scams and follow best cybersecurity practices when working remotely.

Thursday, April 2

• N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen and N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry were joined by Assistant Secretary Lockhart Taylor of the N.C. Department of Commerce and Commissioner Todd Ishee of the N.C. Department of Public Safety for the daily update on COVID-19. 
   
  • Cohen emphasized that COVID-19 can be spread by those who have the virus but DO NOT have any symptoms, which is why staying at home as much as you can is so important. Staying home – as directed by the Stay at Home Order – is the best way to slow the spread and protect North Carolinians.
  • N.C. Emergency Management continues to purchase protective equipment for healthcare workers. Sprayberry reminded residents to NOT CALL 911 to report violations of social distancing guidelines. 
  • More than 350,000 unemployment claims have been filed due to COVID-19. While it may take up to two weeks to receive benefits, the N.C. Division of Employment Security is working to speed up the application process. Learn more at des.nc.gov
  • The Division of Prisons is screening all people entering correctional facilities and taking measures to protect the health of offenders and employees. Learn more at ncdps.gov.

Wednesday, April 1

• Essential workers who needs financial assistance for emergency child care can complete the COVID-19 Parent Application for Financial Assistance for Emergency Child Care and submit it to their child care provider. They can also fill out a hard copy of this form at their child care facility. Learn more under "Child Care Access & Financial Assistance Available for Essential Workers" on the child care page.

Tuesday, March 31

• Gov. Roy Cooper announced another step to help families by prohibiting utilities from disconnecting people who are unable to pay during this pandemic. Executive Order 124 applies to electric, gas, water and wastewater services for the next 60 days. The order directs utilities to give residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills and prohibits them from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payment. To learn more, read the FAQs.

Monday, March 30

• Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order to get equipment to health care workers, schools and local governments
• To help families access food during the COVID-19 pandemic, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is temporarily increasing benefits for March 2020 and April 2020 to current Food and Nutrition Services recipients in North Carolina.
• NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen and N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry provide an update on COVID-19. Secretary Cohen reminded North Carolinians that the Governor’s Executive Order to stay at home goes into effect at 5 p.m.. She emphasized that when we don’t have vaccines or treatments, social distancing is the only tool we have to slow the spread of COVID-19. For more information about the order, read the FAQs.

Sunday, March 29

• Gov. Roy Cooper announces first COVID-19 unemployment benefits will be paid this week

March 22-28, 2020

Friday, March 27

• Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 121, a statewide stay at home order beginning Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m. until April 29, 2020. The executive order directs people to stay at home except to visit essential businesses, to exercise outdoors or to help a family member. Specifically, the order bans gatherings of more than 10 people and directs everyone to physically stay at least 6 feet apart from others. Read the press release and the FAQs. To request that a business be deemed essential, visit this N.C. Department of Revenue webpage.
• Cooper announced that parents who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.

Thursday, March 26

• N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elizabeth Tilson and N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry provided an update on COVID-19. Sprayberry announced that North Carolina has received a federal disaster declaration, which will make all counties eligible for FEMA assistance to local governments for pandemic response.
• Read guidance for Executive Order 120. 
• For people who think they might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends they stay home and call their doctor if you need medical advice. Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild illness and recover at home. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a fact sheet to help North Carolinians know what to do if they are sick. Read more. 

Wednesday, March 25

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services provides guidance for dental providers
• North Carolina Medicaid increases support to protect those most at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 and to maintain access to services.
• During a press briefing, Gov. Cooper and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen urged North Carolinians to stay at home if they can and maximize social distancing. People who feel sick and have mild symptoms, should stay home and call their doctor. Businesses are encouraged to get social distancing, telework plans in place immediately. N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry announced the state has ordered $66 million in personal protective equipment for health care providers and encouraged people who can to donate personal protective equipment to BEOC@ncdps.gov. The Office of Emergency Medical Services is also working to identify additional hospital beds that could be available once the regular beds at the state’s hospitals are filled.
• NCDHHS reports the first COVID-19 associated deaths.

Tuesday, March 24

• Gov. Cooper requests a major disaster declaration for COVID-19.
• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced a hotline for critical workers seeking child care options.
• Gov. Cooper directs funding to schools to teach and feed students during COVID-19. 
• N.C. Department of Health and Human Services held a media briefing to share updates about COVID-19. State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson encouraged North Carolinians who have mild symptoms of COVID-19 to stay at home and contact your doctor. Mike Sprayberry, director of N.C. Emergency Management, provided updates on the second allocation of supplies that North Carolina has received from the Strategic National Stockpile. While the supplies are useful, North Carolina will continue to respond to the national shortage of protective equipment by implementing any strategy to purchase or acquire additional needed supplies for COVID-19.

Monday, March 23

• Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 120, which closes K-12 public schools statewide through May 15, bans mass gatherings of more than 50 people and closes gyms, movie theaters, sweepstakes parlors, health clubs and other similar facilities. Because of their inability to conduct social distancing, hair and nail salons, barber shops and massage therapists will also close. This will take affect 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 25. Governor Cooper announced the Executive Order at a media briefing with NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry, State Superintendent Mark Johnson and other officials.
• CDC provides updates about those who are at higher risk for severe illness.
• NCDHHS provides updates to provider guidance, including:
   
  • State Health Director Temporary Order Requiring the Reporting of Novel Coronavirus Infections Causing Death
  • NCDHHS Memo to North Carolina Health Care Providers  
• NCDHHS also releases patient guidance for people who may have COVID-19. 
• Governor’s Working Group Getting Food to Children Who are Out of School; Connecting Families to Child Care

March 15-21, 2020

Saturday, March 21

• Gov. Roy Cooper orders increased access to child care, DMV clarifications with Executive Order 119.

Friday, March 20

• Gov. Roy Cooper pushes for key federal changes to make food and health care more accessible.
• North Carolina Medicaid increasing eligible technology and provider types for telemedicine to address COVID-19.
• NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer and State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, NCDHHS Chief Deputy Secretary Susan Gale Perry and N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry provided COVID-19 updates. They discussed addressing child care and nutrition needs for families of health care providers and other frontline workers, reiterated NC 2-1-1 text and call services as a resource for the public, and stressed the importance of social distancing now that community spread of COVID-19 is occurring in North Carolina.
• NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen calls for doctor/nurse/non-clinical volunteers to bolster the state's health care system.
• Food Safety Guidance for School Meal Delivery provided.
• NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen requests providers cancel elective and non-urgent and procedures and surgeries.
• Guidance letter sent to LME/MCOs.
• The N.C. Department of Revenue announces the tax deadline is extended to July 15.

Thursday, March 19

• FAQ for Executive Order 118 provided.
• Gov. Roy Cooper announces a person in Wilson County tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first time a positive case of COVID-19 is due to community spread. Community spread occurs when people have been infected with the virus and it's unclear how they were exposed to it. NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said hospitals should postpone elective surgeries to conserve supplies and staff to respond to COVID-19.
• U.S. Small Business Administration granted request for a disaster declaration for small businesses suffering economic losses due to COVID-19.

Wednesday, March 18

• NCDHHS seeks authority from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to temporarily waive certain Medicaid and N.C. Health Choice policies as part of North Carolina’s response to the COVID-19.
• NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer and State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson, Attorney General Josh Stein and Director of N.C. Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry held a media availability to answer questions about COVID-19. Tilson provided updates on North Carolina's public health response while Stein cautioned residents to be aware of and report potential COVID-19 scams and price gouging. Sprayberry urged people not to call 911 unless they have an emergency and to refrain from overbuying at grocery stores, which will remain open.
• Gov. Roy Cooper announced NC 2-1-1 by United Way of North Carolina as a resource for people. Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162. Sign up for updates by texting COVIDNC to 898211. 

Tuesday, March 17

• Gov. Roy Cooper issues an executive order to close sit-down service at restaurants and bars and makes state unemployment benefits more widely available.
• NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen signs an order of abatement, declaring the use of seating areas of restaurants and bars as an immenient hazard for the spread of COVID-19.
• Respiratory Protection Guidance issued.
• NCDHHS provides updates to the Community Engagement Resource based on the most recent developments for COVID-19 in North Carolina.
• FAQ for Executive Order 117 resource provided. 

Monday, March 16

• CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next eight  weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
• Interim guidance issued for organizations that gather less than 50 people together
• New guidance issued for restaurants and bars
• Interim guidance issued for child care settings

March 8-14, 2020

Saturday, March 14, 2020

• Governor Cooper issues Executive Order 117 to limit the spread of COVID-19. The order bans mass gatherings of more than 100 people across the state. It also closes K-12 public schools across the state beginning Monday, March 16 through March 30, unless extended. 

Thursday, March 12, 2020

• Governor Cooper and members of the Coronavirus task force held a media briefing on COVID-19 Mitigation Measures.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

• NCDHHS Division of Public Health adds Community Engagement Resources for public health officials with North Carolina's local health departments as print material and resource.
• NC Medicaid Updates Policies to Address COVID-19.
• NCDHHS announces an additional presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in North Carolina, bringing the total number of cases to eight.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

• Governor Cooper and members of the Coronavirus task force held a media briefing on COVID-19.
• The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) is taking proactive steps to protect the health of our community by making recommendations that are meant to slow the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak and reduce the number of people infected.
• Governor Cooper declares a state of emergency to to coordinate response and protective actions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Monday, March 9, 2020

• The Indiana State Department of Health notified North Carolina officials that a person who tested positive for COVID-19 on March 8 was in Durham and Wake counties on March 2 through March 6 while symptomatic. The person is in isolation at home in Indiana.
• Five more people in Wake County have tested presumptively positive today for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). All traveled to Boston in late February to attend a BioGen conference. Several cases of COVID-19 across the country have been tied to the conference. These cases are not related to the Wake County individual who tested positive last week. All are in isolation at their respective homes.

March 1-7, 2020

Friday, March 6, 2020

• A second North Carolina person has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The test, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab.
• Governor Roy Cooper, DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen, State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson and Chatham Public Health Department Director Layton Long hold media event to announce the second case of COVID-19 in North Carolina and discuss testing availability.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

• NCDHHS provides updated infomation about testing for COVID-19.
• NCDHHS' Division of Public Health provides community engagement resources for public health officials with North Carolina's local health departments.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

• The Governor’s Novel Coronavirus Task Force announces a North Carolina individual has tested positive for COVID-19. The test, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab. The individual, who lives in Wake County, is doing well and is in isolation at home.
• The Governor’s Novel Coronavirus Task Force announces the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health is now able to test for COVID-19. This new capability allows North Carolina to more quickly take public health steps to respond to any positive test result.

Jan. 25-Feb. 27, 2020

Friday, Feb. 27, 2020

• NCDHHS shares CDC’s interim Patient Under Investigation form and releases an updated Interim Patients Under Investigation Toolkit for COVID-19.
• NCDHHS shares guidance for healthcare providers and facilities regarding conservation of supplies for COVID-19.

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2020

• The Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force continues to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 infections and encourages businesses, schools, health care providers, communities and individuals to prepare as well.

Friday, Feb. 14, 2020

• NCDHHS provides local health departments with updated guidance for COVID-19 investigations

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020

• Governor Cooper announces the creation of the Governor’s Novel Coronavirus Task Force to continue the coordination among state, local and federal partners. The Task Force formalizes the state’s ongoing efforts to monitor, prepare for and respond to the 2019 novel COVID-19.

Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020

• NCDHHS provides an update for travelers returning to North Carolina. NCDHHS continues to work with the CDC and local health departments to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and assure the health and well-being of North Carolinians as residents return from China.

Thursday, Jan 30 2020

• NCDHHS provides a healthcare personnel and visitor Monitoring Log for use by healthcare providers and local health department personnel.
• NCDHHS releases an interim Healthcare Facility Preparedness Checklist to provide guidance to healthcare facilities on preparing for COVID-19.

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020

• NCDHHS provides a COVID-19 update. NCDHHS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local health departments, and health care providers to closely monitor COVID-19. There are no confirmed cases in North Carolina.

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020

• NCDHHS provides Emergency Medical Services agencies with an Interim EMS Preparedness Checklist for COVID-19.

Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020

• NCDHHS reports that the possible case tested negative for COVID-19.

Friday, Jan. 24, 2020

• The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announces it is investigating a possible case of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The individual had recently traveled to China and passed through Wuhan City, where the outbreak originated, but had not visited the market linked to many early cases. This person arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Jan. 23, 2020.