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.
MAY 1, 2020
6:25 p.m. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the home or work order and rules stopping outdoor dining are repealed as of Monday, May 4.
4:54 p.m. - High Point University Dining announced they are donating food to the High Point Housing Authority.
The university said the High Point University Dining Team donated 500 pounds of food to the High Point Housing Authority.
And said they have filled a bus with food that could feed 300 people.
The university said members of High Point University Dining and the High Point Housing Authority coordinated the food donation pick-up on campus just this week.
And added they have donated supplies to various organizations and personal protective equipment to local emergency responders.
4:45 p.m. - New Goshen United Methodist Church in Greensboro announced they will celebrate their 132nd anniversary on Sunday.
In honor of their anniversary, the church wants to support families in need by hosting a food drive.
The church said the event is to provide 1,320 nonperishable items to Urban Ministries.
The food drive will be held at New Goshen United Methodist Church which is located at 3300 Randleman Road.
The first food drive is currently in process and ends at 6 p.m.
And the second will be this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2 p.m. - North Carolina coronavirus task force press briefing
- NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said they will now begin showing data on lab-confirmed cases by zip codes. They will roll out this feature on the NCDHHS website by Friday night.
- Dr. Cohen said there won't be data for zip codes with less than 500 people or less than five cases - this is so patient privacy is protected.
- Dr. Cohen said she is confident that if North Carolina stays on track, we will be able to enter phase one of the reopening plan next week.
- Cohen said North Carolinians are placing themselves in the best place possible to ease restrictions.
- Cohen recommends citizens who are elderly and those at high-risk to stay home as much as possible.
- FEMA has approved crisis counseling funding for the state, Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry said.
- Dr. Cohen said they are working with a remdesivir supplier to make sure we can get the medicine in our state. The drug has shown positive results with decreasing the time it takes for a coronavirus patient to recover.
- Dr. Cohen said as we enter the reopening phases, they will take a look at how regions across the state are doing. She said it could mean that some regions in the state may not ease restrictions as quickly as others. However, she said it's too soon to say if certain regions open sooner than others.
- Emergency management director Mike Sprayberry said PPE that comes into the state goes through a stringent vetting process. All supplies are inspected by an industrial hygienist before being distributed out to warehouses.
- Cohen said the department is working to get 250 new contact tracers both hired and trained by the end of May.
- Cohen thanked North Carolinians for its efforts to follow Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order and for helping stop the spread of COVID-19.
12:30 p.m. - Surry County health officials reported the first COVID-19-related death in the county. In a release, health officials said the patient died on Friday, May 1. The person was in their late 60s and had several underlying medical conditions. Surry County has 13 coronavirus cases, according to the NCDHHS map.
Noon - Another coronavirus outbreak was detected in a Triad nursing home. Alamance County health officials said 12 residents and two employees at White Oak Manor nursing home in Burlington tested positive for COVID-19.
11.40 a.m.- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports there are 10,923 confirmed cases of coronavirus statewide. There have been 399 deaths since the onset of the pandemic. Guilford County added 34 more cases to its total and four more people died.
7:45 a.m. - Working from home and working OUT from home. But will you renew that gym membership once you can go back? We're talking about if coronavirus is making gyms a thing of the past on After GMS. Join the live conversation!
Friday news to note:
- During a press conference on Thursday, Gov. Cooper said he is hopeful that North Carolina will be able to move into phase one of its reopening plan next week. He said it’s imperative that people stay home and follow instructions. The stay-at-home order remains in effect until May 8.
- Six Goodwill store locations in the Triad are set to open Friday after the state granted the company's "essential business" request. Triad Goodwill has been closed for more than a month, officials said.
- North Carolina reached a total of 10,509 coronavirus cases on Thursday, according to the NCDHHS. Twenty-four more people died statewide, bringing the state's death total to 378. Five of those deaths were from Guilford County.
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.
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