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.
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020
9:30 p.m. - Roped pillars leading up to the entrance of retail stores will become a more common occurrence now that more restrictions are in effect in North Carolina.
7:00 p.m. - Former Women’s Hospital and Wesley Long Hospital to become center for treating COVID-19 cases.
6:30 p.m. - A Greensboro woman who was among a number of people in Guilford County diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is speaking out about her battle.
Christine McLaurin said she is on the mend now but has a warning for her fellow Triad neighbors.
"Think about others, if you don't care about you that's fine don't care about yourself, but care about your mom and your siblings and your kids or anybody else who can get it," said the mom who had been quarantined in her bedroom for the past two weeks.
6:00 p.m. - North Carolina considers releasing 500 inmates due to the coronavirus.
5:58 p.m. - Seafood Destiny in Greensboro is hosting their “iSee Destiny CommUnity Giveback” Tuesday with plans to feed hair stylists, nail techs, barbers, and estheticians for free at 12 noon until supplies last.
Workers can either choose from a baked fish plate which includes two pieces of grouper fish and a side of green beans and potatoes, or a 16-ounce seafood gumbo which includes rice, lump crab, grouper fish, shrimp, okra, celery, bell peppers, onions, sausage and tomatoes.
The free food will be made available to qualified workers outside the restaurant located at 4705 W Gate City Blvd.
Seafood Destiny said no substitutions or special requests will be allowed and food will remain available while supplies last.
The business said they will abide by social distancing guidelines, as workers will be able to pick up their food from the restaurant’s food truck.
5:30 p.m. - The Yadkin County Human Services Agency said the person died on Monday, April 13 from complications resulting from the virus.
5:15 p.m. - More than 35 offenders among six separate facilities have tested positive for COVID-19 so far at North Carolina prisons.
Twenty staff at 10 facilities have also self-reported positive test results for COVID-19.
Adult Correction is reviewing additional offenders for possible transition to the community to complete their sentence under supervision. All offenders under consideration must meet strict criteria and all legal requirements, such as victim notification in certain cases, before a transfer to the community is approved. The approximately 500 offenders being considered cannot have been convicted of a violent crime against a person and must fall within one of the following categories:
- Pregnant offenders
- Offenders age 65 and older with underlying health conditions
- Female offenders age 50 and older with health conditions and a release date in 2020
- Offenders age 65 and older with a release date in 2020
- Offenders already on home leave with a release date in 2020
- Offenders on work release with a release date in 2020
On Thursday, April 9, six offenders were transferred into the community. All of those six are females and are either pregnant or are 65 or older, and thus in a high-risk category as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4:00 p.m. - An antibody study of a representative sample of the population is actively underway in North Carolina, led by pioneering research from experts at Wake Forest Baptist Health.
In support of the groundbreaking public health research, the legislature is providing $100,000 from its account to Wake Forest University to purchase and mail 1,000 at-home antibody kits to a representative sample of North Carolinians. Wake Forest Baptist Health researchers put some of the kits in the mail today.
The Wake Forest Baptist study is led by Dr. John Sanders and Dr. David Herrington in collaboration with Dr. Michael Runyon and Dr. Michael Gibbs at Atrium Health. They have worked closely with Oracle, Scanwell Health, Javara, and other health systems across the country to develop this surveillance system.
3:18 p.m. - NC Zoo offering more virtual and kid-friendly programs.
Since a visit to the North Carolina Zoo isn’t currently possible, the Zoo is bringing its programs to you!
In an effort to help meet the educational and learning needs of children and parents during this challenging time, the Zoo is offering an all-new Virtual Visit program. This program features a wide range of different online education events, art projects, at-home activities, and stories from the Zoo and the wild that will allow children, teachers, parents and others to experience the Zoo and its animals in a completely new way.
RELATED: Virtual reality? North Carolina Zoo offers virtual visit experience for parents and children
The Virtual Visit web page — nczoo.org/virtual-visit — is the hub for all these experiences. It will be updated daily with new animal videos, wildlife-themed activities and other ideas for at-home learning and play, even as the Zoo's staff continue to be busy caring for more than 1,800 animals and more than 2,000 acres of land.
Highlights of the Zoo’s Virtual Visit program include:
- Zoo EDventure Online Series: every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., join us Live on Facebook to get an up-close look at our amazing animals. This is a chance to learn and interact directly with Zoo staff about the theme of the day. All our Zoo EDventures can also be viewed through the Virtual Visit webpage and YouTube.
- Zoo Classroom is the Zoo’s free distance learning series appropriate for K-12 audiences streamed live every Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. Each program features a different and fun topic on wildlife and nature. Join us live to ask our educators questions in real time or enjoy our whole series of classes on the website on your own time. Required pre-registration is easy through the Zoo’s Virtual Visit Zoo Classroom page
- Living with Nature is the Zoo’s distance learning event series currently available to everyone. All of the 2019-2020 events are now available online and have a variety of activities to do before, after, and during the viewing of the recorded program. These are accessible through the Zoo’s website at any time.
- Untamed Science: Every Tuesday and Thursday watch an episode of the Zoo’s science education show. Learn about how use science to care for the Zoo’s animals and help protect endangered species in the wild.
- Ask an Expert: An all new offering only on Instagram. Every Tuesday meet a new Zoo expert. On Wednesday ask them your zoo and wildlife questions. Then on Thursday hear the answers live. Experts from across the Zoo will be featured, including veterinarians, conservation scientists, animal care staff and more.
- All-new Zoo Blogs: Get in-depth stories and firsthand accounts of what it takes to run a modern zoo. New stories will be coming out every week on how we care for our animals, insights into zoo operations, and what the North Carolina Zoo is doing to save species from extinction.
- Adventures in EdZOOcation Facebook Group: Join the Zoo’s EdZOOcation Facebook group and get extra weekly content available only to group members. Every week we will be posting new activities, lessons, videos and more on a variety of topics. Adventures in EdZOOcation programs will include:
- Zoo Science: Every Tuesday learn a new nature-based science experiment that you can do at home
- Nature Arts and Crafts: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday get instructions for how to make a different animal-related craft or art project.
- Wild about Nature: Learn about easy outdoor activities you can do locally & in your own backyard.
- Just go to the Zoo’s Facebook page and click on “Adventure in EdZOOcation Groups” to join.
3:06 p.m. - NC Gov. Roy Cooper said, "You have the power to bend the curve of a global pandemic, as long as you stay home."
3:05 p.m. - 561,000 people have filed for unemployment in the state. Checks are going out at this time.
3:00 p.m. - North Carolina now has 4,816 COVID-19 cases, 86 deaths, and 313 currently hospitalized from the coronavirus.
2:30 p.m. - North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to give an update at 3:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m. - The Fresh Market tweeted they are requiring all guests to wear a face mask before entering their stores starting this Tuesday.
11 a.m. - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports a total of 4,816 positive coronavirus cases and 86 deaths statewide.
Monday news to note:
- Governor Cooper's latest executive order goes into effect today at 5 p.m. It will limit the number of shoppers inside retail stores.
- NCDHHS reports that 4,520 people have coronavirus in the state and 81 people have died as of Sunday.
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.