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 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.
MONDAY, MARCH 30
9:00 p.m. - Wake Forest University students will continue doing remote classes for the remainder of the semester, school officials announced Monday. See more details here.
6:00 p.m. - Seven people were charged in violation of the stay-at-home orders in Guilford County, police said Monday. Three of the individuals were previously charged over the weekend for protesting outside an abortion clinic on Saturday.
5:30 p.m. - Cone Health expert, Dr. Bruce Swords, answers your coronavirus questions on 2 Wants To Know. Head over to the 2 Your Well-being section to learn more.
5:00 p.m. - President Trump is expected to give an update on the response to coronavirus. We will stream it live in this story.
4:00 p.m. - High Point makes adjustments to the inspections department due to coronavirus.
"In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City of High Point Inspections Services Department, Permit Center and Planning & Development Department office at City Hall is closed to the public effective Wednesday, April 1, 2020, until further notice.
Only online applications and requests for services can be accommodated while the office is closed to the public.
The City of High Point will continue to monitor and adjust operations as needed. Additional information and updates concerning COVID-19 and the City’s response can be found at www.highpointnc.gov/COVID-19."
2 p.m. - NC Public Health and Emergency Management officials provide coronavirus updates.
Here's what we're learning
- 1,307 positive coronavirus cases across 74 counties
- Median age of people with coronavirus is 46
- 137 hospitalizations
- 6 deaths
- More than 20,000 tests completed, 8,000 are pending
- Since there is no vaccine, social distancing is the only way to protect ourselves from coronavirus
- Expecting shipment from national stockpile: Masks, surgical and procedure masks, gowns, gloves and more
- Placed order in the amount of $92M
- Medical professionals who are currently working or retired can volunteer by registering at terms.ncem.org
- Call 211, not 911 for coronavirus questions
- Prioritizing tests this week and next on those at high-risk like healthcare workers, hospitalized, longer-term care.
- Officials are looking at states like New York and Washington to see how coronavirus moves. The reason it's different is because there is no vaccine, it's highly contagious and it's in the community meaning it can't be traced back to a target person.
- The number of cases is increasing because more people are being tested. Also, officials are finding "different kids of positives," not knowing where or from whom the virus came.
- Expect to see COVID-19 in every North Carolina within a week.
- It is unclear when our situation with coronavirus will change, but social distancing is our best defense as officials learn more about the virus.
- The peak of coronavirus is not yet known for North Carolina
- While there is no backlog at the state level for testing, there is a backlog for private partners like LabCorp which handles samples nationwide.
- Rapid testing are great developments but only one or two can be run at a time. Will need to continue with traditional testing as well as rapid tests. Officials are working quickly to ramp up testing.
11:34 a.m. - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports there are 1,307 positive cases of coronavirus statewide.
10:03 a.m. - North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis holds phone conference providing updates on the coronavirus. Senator Tillis answers questions on ranging from stimulus checks to public health tips.
9:30 a.m. - Randolph County Public Health received notification that there are now 17 cases of novel coronavirus in the county. That make 8 more cases since Friday
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.