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.
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2020
7:00 p.m. - Duke University’s COVID-19 testing program has administered 700 tests to 309 student-athletes, coaches and staff in the first three weeks since student-athletes began returning to campus for voluntary practice.
As of July 31, 2020, nine student-athletes are in mandatory isolation due to positive COVID-19 tests. Sixteen others who earlier tested positive went through the required isolation period and have been cleared by physicians for return to regular activity. No coaches or staff have tested positive, and no teams have paused team-related activities due to testing results.
The majority of student-athletes testing positive were positive upon arrival. All were asymptomatic or experienced minor symptoms, and no student-athletes required additional medical care. Treatment consisted of symptom monitoring, rest and over the counter medication.
“We are foremost concerned for player safety, and with finding ways to balance the desire to have a vibrant athletic culture on campus, with the reality that COVID-19 is a highly transmissible infection,” said infectious disease specialist Cameron Wolfe MD, associate professor of medicine at Duke and chair of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Medical Advisory Group for COVID-19. “To that end, an aggressive testing strategy is paramount -- identifying positive asymptomatic student-athletes, who may be capable of inadvertently transmitting the virus, is crucial. Duke is finding and isolating cases early in the season, prepared to quarantine when necessary, and by combining a regular batch testing program with multi-pronged mitigation strategies, we believe athletics can and will be successful at Duke.”
Duke’s overall COVID-19 testing regimen includes the following steps:
· All students have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to arrival in Durham, and obtain COVID-19 tests, if possible, prior to arrival.
· All undergraduate, graduate and professional students will be tested before their Duke Cards will be activated, except PhD students who have been regularly coming to campus this summer for approved research. Students will have to sequester in their room or off-campus residence until their results are confirmed.
· All students residing in the Durham area will be required to complete a daily symptom-monitoring survey every day before coming to campus.
· Faculty and staff who visit campus regularly will have to complete the symptom tracking survey every day.
· Students who reside in Duke housing, who attend classes on campus or work on campus, and a number of faculty and staff, will be subject to regular pooled surveillance testing during the semester.
· Contact tracers will conduct notifications of those who may have been in close contact with someone whose test comes back positive.
In addition, all students, faculty, staff and visitors will be required to wear face coverings while on campus and observe other health-related guidelines for distancing and hygiene.
6:00 p.m. - Winston-Salem firefighter tests positive for COVID-19.
The Winston-Salem Fire Department said the firefighters was exposed to COVID-19 off-duty. Station 5 on Palmer Lane was closed for deep cleaning by a commercial cleaning company.
Engine 5 and Ladder 5 were out of service from about 3:30 Wednesday afternoon until 7:30 Thursday morning. Fire services in Station 5’s territory were provided by fire units located in surrounding territories. In addition to the infected firefighter, there are 19 self-quarantining at home awaiting test results.
The infected firefighter passed the pre-shift screening process and began feeling ill the day after their scheduled shift.
5:58 p.m. - Major takeaways from COVID-19 numbers released by NCDHHS
MAJOR TAKEAWAYS:
- Outbreak at Stokes County Jail: 7 total cases, all listed as residents.
- 3 New outbreaks in Forsyth County
- Piney Grove Nursing and Rehab in Kernersville: 2 total cases (1 resident, 1 staff).
- Homestead Hills Assisted Living in Winston-Salem: 2 total cases (both staff)
- The Atrium/The Respite Center in Rural Hall: 2 total cases (both staff)
- FOUR BIG SPIKES IN CASES - a total of 83 new cases
- Adams Farm Living and Rehab in Greensboro: 18 new cases (all residents). Total cases now at 26.
- Abbotswood at Irving Park in Greensboro: 15 new cases (all residents). Total cases now at 19.
- Oak Forest Health and Rehab in Winston-Salem: 26 new cases (14 residents, 12 staff). The total is now at 28. This facility's original outbreak (13 cases) ended a couple of weeks ago, but has seen a new outbreak.
- Pine Ridge Health and Rehab in Davidson County: 24 new cases (17 residents, 7 staff). Total now at 31.
5:52 p.m. - North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released COVID-19 cases at nursing homes, rehab facilities. Here's a county-by-county list.
From DHHS:
Guilford County:
Camden Health & Rehab
- 79 total cases
- 59 residents
- 20 staff
- 12 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 79 total cases, 59 residents, 20 staff, 12 deaths
Clapps Nursing Home
- 94 total cases
- 65 residents
- 29 staff
- 24 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 94 cases, 65 residents, 29 staff, 24 deaths
Piedmont Christian Home (this is the only Triad facility with a death in the staff)
- 66 total cases
- 48 residents
- 18 staff
- 14 deaths (1 of whom is a staff member)
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 66 total cases, 48 residents, 18 staff, 14 deaths
Maple Grove Health and Rehabilitation Center
- 112 total cases
- 84 residents
- 28 staff
- 21 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 112 total cases, 84 residents, 28 staff, 20 deaths
- Takeaway: another person died (a resident)
Adams Farm Living and Rehabilitation
- 26 total cases
- 24 residents
- 2 staff
- 2 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 8 total cases, 6 residents, 2 staff, 2 deaths
- Takeaway: 18 new cases (all residents)
Friends Home West
- 3 total cases
- 2 staff
- 1 resident
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 3 total cases, 2 staff, 1 resident, 0 death
Guilford House
- 21 total cases
- 17 residents
- 4 staff
- 4 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 13 total cases, 11 residents, 2 staff, 4 deaths
- Takeaway: 8 new cases (6 residents, 2 staff)
Blumenthal's Nursing and Rehabilitation
- 3 total cases
- 1 resident
- 2 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 3 total cases, 1 resident, 2 staff, 0 deaths
Friends Home at Guilford
- 9 total cases
- 1 resident
- 8 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 9 total cases, 1 resident, 8 staff, 0 deaths
St. Gales Estates
- 2 total cases
- 2 residents
- 0 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 2 total cases, 2 residents, 0 staff, 0 deaths
- 19 total cases
- 17 residents
- 2 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 4 total cases, 2 residents, 2 staff, 0 deaths
- Takeaway: 15 new cases (all residents)
Forsyth County:
The Citadel at Winston Salem
- 54 total cases
- 40 residents
- 14 staff
- 3 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 54 total cases, 40 residents, 14 staff, 3 deaths
The Oaks
- 29 total cases
- 22 residents
- 7 staff
- 1 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 29 total cases, 22 residents, 7 staff, 1 deaths
Trinity Elms
- 6 total cases
- 5 residents
- 1 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 6 total cases, 5 residents, 1 staff, 0 deaths
Trinity Glen
- 5 total cases
- 1 resident
- 4 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 5 total cases, 1 resident, 4 staff, 0 deaths
Summerstone Health and Rehab Center
- 3 total cases
- 1 residents
- 2 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 3 total cases, 1 resident, 2 staff, 0 deaths
Danby Assisted Living Facility
- 14 total cases
- 10 residents
- 4 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 14 total cases, 10 residents, 4 staff, 0 deaths
- 3 total cases
- 0 residents
- 3 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 3 total cases, 0 residents, 3 staff, 0 deaths
Oak Forest Health and Rehab
- 28 total cases
- 14 residents
- 14 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 2 total cases, 2 staff, 0 residents, 0 deaths
- Takeaway: 26 new cases (14 residents, 12 staff)
- Their original outbreak ended, but there is a new one (had 13 total cases, 1 resident, 12 staff, 0 deaths)
- 2 total cases
- 1 resident
- 1 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 2 total cases, 1 resident, 1 staff, 0 deaths
- Their original outbreak ended, but there is a new one (had 22 cases, 12 residents, 10 staff, 1 death)
- 2 total cases
- 1 resident
- 1 staff
- 0 deaths
- 2 total cases
- 0 residents
- 2 staff
- 0 deaths
- 2 total cases
- 0 residents
- 2 staff
- 0 deaths
Alamance County:
White Oak Manor (outbreak ended last week, was largest in the Triad, deadliest in the state)
- 134 total cases
- 85 residents
- 49 staff
- 31 deaths
Davidson County:
Spring Arbor of Thomasville
- 3 total cases
- 1 resident
- 2 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 3 total cases, 1 resident, 2 staff, 0 deaths
- 2 total cases
- 0 residents
- 2 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 2 total cases, 0 residents, 2 staff, 0 deaths
- PREVIOUS OUTBREAK (ended June 12): 63 total cases, 46 residents, 17 staff, 8 deaths
- 31 total cases
- 24 residents
- 7 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 7 total cases, 7 residents, 0 staff, 0 deaths
- Takeaway: 24 new cases (17 residents, 7 staff)
Randolph County:
Clapp's Convalescent Nursing Home
- 6 total cases
- 2 residents
- 4 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 6 total cases, 2 residents, 4 staff, 0 deaths
Woodland Hill Center
- 56 total cases
- 40 residents
- 16 staff
- 6 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 56 total cases, 40 residents, 16 staff, 6 deaths
Alpine Health and Rehab of Asheboro
- 10 total cases
- 2 residents
- 8 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 10 total cases, 2 residents, 8 staff, 0 deaths
- 3 total cases (all residents)
Stokes County
Stokes County Jail (THIS IS NEW!!)
- 7 total cases (all residents)
Surry County
Pruitt Health-Elkin
- 25 total cases
- 14 residents
- 11 staff
- 2 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 25 total cases, 14 residents, 11 staff, 2 deaths
- 18 total cases
- 13 residents
- 5 staff
- 0 deaths
- TUESDAY NUMBERS: 18 total cases, 13 residents, 5 staff, 0 deaths
1:00 p.m. - Gov. Roy Cooper hosts NCDHHS meeting.
Gov. Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services provides updates on the state's response to the coronavirus.
The task force said a lot of work has been done in successfully isolating COVID-19.
The force emphasized the three W’s, which include wearing a face mask, washing your hands, and waiting at least six feet from another person.
The task force said prevention and communication strategies are critical in preventing the spread of the coronavirus and said wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is key as well.
Gov. Roy Cooper said the state has announced a new program to support people who need help to quarantine successfully.
Cooper said the new program will ease the burden of isolation by providing financial assistance for services like grocery and medication deliveries.
The force highlighted the alcohol ban.
NCDHHS said by the end of Friday, Executive Order 153 will stop the sale of alcoholic drinks in restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries at 11 p.m. to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Noon - NCDHHS gives update on the latest coronavirus numbers.
122,148 CASES (UP 1,954)
1,924 DEATHS (UP 21)
1,757,102 TESTS (UP 27,741 AS OF NOON)
1,229 HOSPITALIZED (DOWN 7)
ALAMANCE – 2,148 CASES, 41 DEATHS
CASWELL – 183 CASES, 2 DEATHS
CHATHAM – 1,208 CASES, 50 DEATHS
DAVIDSON – 1,620 CASES, 17 DEATHS
DAVIE – 349 CASES, 3 DEATHS
FORSYTH – 4,833 CASES, 48 DEATHS (+42 CASES, +0 DEATHS)
GUILFORD – 5,093 CASES, 142 DEATHS (+51 CASES, +0 DEATHS)
MONTGOMERY – 569 CASES, 13 DEATHS
RANDOLPH – 2,026 CASES, 36 DEATHS
ROCKINGHAM – 450 CASES, 3 DEATHS
STOKES – 248 CASES, 3 DEATHS
SURRY – 845 CASES, 7 DEATHS
WILKES – 723 CASES, 9 DEATHS
YADKIN – 480 CASES, 6 DEATHS
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020
5:12 p.m. - Employee within Alamance County Courthouse tests positive for COVID-19.
An employee of an agency with offices within the Alamance County Judicial facilities received a positive test result for COVID-19 Thursday. The individual was last in the Alamance County Courthouse on Friday, July 17, 2020.
As a precaution, they have cleaned and disinfected the locations of where the employee was in the courthouse.
2 p.m. - Dr. Mandy Cohen and the NCDHHS hold a weekly press briefing on the North Carolina's response to the coronavirus.
12:30 p.m. - NCDHHS released the latest COVID-19 numbers. Hospitalizations decreased from two record-high days (the NCDHHS adjusted yesterday’s number, but it remains the record). The state reported the third-highest number of new daily cases on record.
STATE
- 120,194 CASES (UP 2,344)
- 1,903 DEATHS (UP 38 FROM WEDNESDAY’S UPDATE)
- 1,724,924 TESTS (UP 30,517) 8% OF TESTS YESTERDAY RETURNED POSITIVE
- 1,239 HOSPITALIZED (UP 33 FROM THE ADJUSTED 1,272 YESTERDAY)
COUNTY
- ALAMANCE – 2,101 CASES, 41 DEATHS
- CASWELL – 179 CASES, 2 DEATHS
- CHATHAM – 1,200 CASES, 49 DEATHS
- DAVIDSON – 1,606 CASES, 17 DEATHS
- DAVIE – 341 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- FORSYTH – 4,791 CASES, 48 DEATHS (+88 CASES, +1 DEATH)
- GUILFORD – 5,042 CASES, 142 DEATHS (+110 CASES, 2 DEATHS)
- MONTGOMERY – 563 CASES, 13 DEATHS
- RANDOLPH – 1,999 CASES, 36 DEATHS
- ROCKINGHAM – 441 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- STOKES – 239 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- SURRY – 832 CASES, 7 DEATHS
- WILKES – 721 CASES, 9 DEATHS
- YADKIN – 473 CASES, 6 DEATHS
12:15 p.m. - Coronavirus behind enemy lines at Biscuitville on Battleground Ave. The restaurant closed down for the day to clean after an employee tested positive. Biscuitville officials expect the location to reopen by Friday, July 31.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020
12:40 p.m. - NCDHHS released the latest COVID-19 numbers.
North Carolina reached a second-straight record-high hospitalization day, possibly reversing the stability we have been seeing over the past two weeks.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services updates its website Tuesday at 2 p.m., which revised (lowered slightly) hospitalizations. Despite the revision, Tuesday remained the record-high day until Wednesday. Guilford County is approaching 5,000 cases. Forsyth County reported five more deaths.
STATE
- 117,850 CASES (UP 1,763)
- 1,865 DEATHS (UP 45)
- 1,691,434 TESTS (27,464 conducted so far) (7% positive yesterday)
- 1,291 HOSPITALIZED (UP 52 from the state’s re-adjusted 3 p.m. number yesterday) (second-straight record high; 91% hospitals reporting)
COUNTIES
- ALAMANCE – 2,066 CASES, 41 DEATHS
- CASWELL – 173 CASES, 2 DEATHS
- CHATHAM – 1,193 CASES, 49 DEATHS
- DAVIDSON – 1,578 CASES, 16 DEATHS
- DAVIE – 326 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- FORSYTH – 4,703 CASES, 49 DEATHS (49 NEW CASES, 5 NEW DEATHS)
- GUILFORD – 4,932 CASES, 140 DEATHS (70 NEW CASES, 1 NEW DEATH)
- MONTGOMERY – 561 CASES, 13 DEATHS
- RANDOLPH – 1,961 CASES, 35 DEATHS
- ROCKINGHAM – 428 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- STOKES – 229 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- SURRY – 802 CASES, 7 DEATHS
- WILKES – 713 CASES, 9 DEATHS
- YADKIN – 461 CASES, 6 DEATHS
10:10 a.m. - North Carolina Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler announced that the State Fair is canceled due to coronavirus concerns.
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2020
4 p.m. - North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to give COVID-19 update.
Key Points:
- Gov. Roy Cooper orders statewide 11 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales in restaurants beginning Friday.
- Funding from CARES Act will help assist people with paying bills and rent. Details of the act will be presented at a later time, Cooper said
12:45 p.m. - NCDHHS released the latest COVID-19 numbers.
Hospitalizations appear to have reached a new record high. The number of new cases today is slightly higher than the number of new cases yesterday, but overall, the number is holding steady. Forsyth County reported three more deaths since this time yesterday.
STATE
- 116,087 CASES (UP 1,749)
- 1,820 DEATHS (UP 20 SINCE MONDAY’S UPDATE)
- 1,658,973 TESTS (UP 16,631 SO FAR TODAY); 7% OF TESTS YESTERDAY (7/27)
- 1,244 HOSPITALIZED WITH 96% HOSPITALS REPORTING DATA (UP 67 SINCE MONDAY’S UPDATE) (NEW RECORD HIGH)
COUNTIES
- ALAMANCE – 2,029 CASES, 41 DEATHS (56 new cases, 0 new deaths)
- CASWELL – 173 CASES, 2 DEATHS
- CHATHAM – 1,188 CASES, 49 DEATHS
- DAVIDSON – 1,553 CASES, 16 DEATHS
- DAVIE – 313 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- FORSYTH – 4,654 CASES, 44 DEATHS (47 new cases, 3 new deaths)
- GUILFORD – 4,862 CASES, 139 DEATHS (73 new cases, 0 new deaths)
- MONTGOMERY – 552 CASES, 13 DEATHS
- RANDOLPH – 1,950 CASES, 35 DEATHS (26 new cases, 0 new deaths)
- ROCKINGHAM – 421 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- STOKES – 221 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- SURRY – 787 CASES, 4 DEATHS
- WILKES – 706 CASES, 9 DEATHS
- YADKIN – 453 CASES, 6 DEATHS
MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020
4:30 p.m. - President Trump visits North Carolina to tour facility developing coronavirus vaccine. President Donald Trump said he expects a COVID-19 vaccine to be ready by the end of the year and for more therapeutic options to be available before then.
12:30 p.m. - NCDHHS released the latest COVID-19 numbers.
New recovery numbers show nearly 81% of the more than 114,000 total cases are "presumed recoveries".
Approximately 8% of tests Sunday came back positive (higher than the state’s goal of 5% but less than the CDC-recorded national average of 10%).
Guilford County added nearly 100 of the more than 1,600 new cases statewide.
STATE
- 114,338 CASES (UP 1,625)
- PRESUMED RECOVERIES: 92,302 (NEARLY 81% OF TOTAL CASES)
- 1,790 DEATHS (UP 5)
- 1,635,476 TESTS (UP 22,091)
- 1,169 HOSPITALIZED (DOWN 1 FROM YESTERDAY)
COUNTIES
- ALAMANCE – 1,973 CASES, 41 DEATHS (19 new cases, 0 new deaths)
- CASWELL – 173 CASES, 2 DEATHS
- CHATHAM – 1,181 CASES, 49 DEATHS
- DAVIDSON – 1,537 CASES, 16 DEATHS
- DAVIE – 305 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- FORSYTH – 4,607 CASES, 41 DEATHS (51 new cases, 0 new deaths)
- GUILFORD – 4,789 CASES, 139 DEATHS (98 new cases, 0 new deaths)
- MONTGOMERY – 531 CASES, 13 DEATHS
- RANDOLPH – 1,924 CASES, 35 DEATHS (13 new cases, 0 new deaths)
- ROCKINGHAM – 412 CASES, 3 DEATHS
- STOKES – 221 CASES, 2 DEATHS
- SURRY – 773 CASES, 4 DEATHS
- WILKES – 701 CASES, 9 DEATHS
- YADKIN – 445 CASES, 6 DEATHS
9 a.m. - World's largest COVID-19 test begins with 30,000 volunteers. The world’s biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway Monday with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S. government -- one of several candidates in the final stretch of the global vaccine race.
FACTS NOT FEAR
Remember facts, not fear when talking about the coronavirus. You should take the safety measures recommended by health leaders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Abide by the three W's. That means wearing a mask, washing your hands, and waiting at least six feet from another person. You also want to avoid touching your face and make sure to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw it away.
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 for the latest.
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