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.
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020
8:00 p.m. - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has published a county-by-county list of free COVID-19 testing sites.
GUILFORD
City of High Point Parking Deck, 120 West Commerce Avenue, High Point.
FastMed Urgent Care - Greensboro, 3215 Battleground Ave, Greensboro. Click here for the walk-in clinic check-in.
FORSYTH
Novant Health - Waughtown, 656 East Monmouth Street, Winston-Salem.
Novant Health GoHealth Urgent Care - Clemmons, 3163 Gammon Lane, Clemmons.
Novant Health GoHealth Urgent Care - Hanes Square, 105 Hanes Square Circle, Winston-Salem.
Novant Health GoHealth Urgent Care - Kernersville, 794 S. Main Street, Suite B, Kernersville.
Novant Health GoHealth Urgent Care - North Point, 7811 North Point Blvd, Winston-Salem.
Novant Health GoHealth Urgent Care - West Highland, 50 Miller Street, Suite C, Winston-Salem.
Novant Health Screening Center - Highland Oaks, 600 Highland Oaks Drive, Winston-Salem.
Novant Health Screening Center - Kernersville, 111 Gateway Center Drive, Kernersville.
ALAMANCE
Alamance County Health Department, 319 Graham Hopedale Rd, Burlington.
Burlington Community Health Center (Piedmont Health Services), 1214 Vaughn Rd #2800, Burlington.
Cone Health/ARMC @ Grand Oaks Center, 1238 Huffman Mill Rd, Burlington (on ARMC campus).
FastMed Urgent Care - Burlington, e 104 Huffman Mill Rd, Burlington.
Kernodle Clinic, 1234 Huffman Mill Rd, Burlington (next to the ARMC ED.)
For the full list of all counties click here.
7:00 p.m. - Forsyth County officials said there has been a drastic rise in animal bites.
Usually, the number climbs a bit in the warmer months but in May of 2019, there were 82 animal bites for the whole month in Forsyth County. Thirteen days into May of 2020 and there have already been 50 bites reported.
“We believe that the dramatic rise is a result of increased exposure. More people are at home, more people are out walking in their neighborhoods, and so there are more encounters and interactions with animals than normal. This has led to an increased number of bites being reported,” Captain Van Loveland, the Animal Services Division Commander said.
4:00 p.m. - Guilford County received a notification today that an individual in the 400 W. Market Street building tested positive for COVID-19.
The County will follow its facilities decontamination protocols similar to those used in other departments. Upon notification of exposures, some temporary service modifications may be recommended during the cleaning and isolation periods; however, Guilford County Government provides essential services to the community and as such, County operations will continue.
The Guilford County Division of Public Health staff work closely with all public and private entities to provide testing, contact tracing and guidance when exposures occur. Guilford County has and continues to promote diligent cleaning in each building, frequent handwashing, and encourages the use of masks in all of our facilities. The County will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure employee safety while continuing to provide quality services to our citizens.
3 p.m. - Gov. Roy Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force hold a briefing on COVID-19 updates at the Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh.
Key points:
- Dr. Mandy Cohen says COVID-19 cases in North Carolina are stable.
- Surveillance data shows a decline. North Carolina cases are increasing as more tests are performed. Hospitalizations are level.
- Twice as much testing is being done than two weeks ago.
- Keeping the trend stable depends on the public. Staying home as much as possible and flowing the 3 Ws: Wear, wait, wash
- Phase 1 will say in place until May 22, Cooper said.
- Churches are encouraged to continue outdoor or virtual services.
- In reference to the lawsuit against the state brought by churches, Copper says he hasn't read the suit but the executive orders were drawn carefully with the constitution in mind.
- When we move into phase 2, which may not be May 22, the hope is the entire state will move at once and not on a county-by-county basis to accommodate restaurant requests.
- If pools are able to open on Memorial Day Weekend, there will be a number of restrictions in place, Cooper said. Cohen said if we move into phase 2 on May 22, neighborhood pools will be allowed to open, but there will be specific guidance such as six-feet distance, wiping down surfaces, etc.
- The prison system is working on setting up testing for employees. Commissioner or Prisons Todd Ishee said a comprehensive plan for testing will be released Thursday evening for all prison, jail, juvenile detention, etc. employees.
- Subgroups have been work on a plan for opening restaurants and like business as the state eases restrictions. Strict guidelines for workers and customers safety is being considered. Even when these places open, people must evaluate their own risks. If you're fighting cancer or have other health issues, you must use judgment, Cohen said.
- When one or two get infected at a longterm living facility, everyone in the facility is being tested.
2 p.m. - Forsyth County Public Health Director gives update after 60 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths were reported.
Key points:
- The county now has 345 positive cases of COVID-19.
- The majority of the cases are among the Hispanic community and within families.
- Spanish speaking COVID-19 line has been added to reach the community ost affected.
- Residents are encouraged to wear face masks and keep a six-foot distance.
- Since most illnesses are within families, family members are advised to stay away from sick family members. When social distancing isn't possible to wear face coverings in the house. Bathrooms should not be shared with sick family members when possible.
1:30 p.m. - WFMY News 2 is offering a new way to look at the latest data regarding COVID-19 in the state and in Guilford County.
"Making the numbers make sense" gives a visual for the total amount of cases hospitalizations, and deaths in North Carolina, as well as the total number of cases and deaths in Guilford County.
RELATED: Making the numbers make sense | More Guilford County COVID-19 deaths for third straight day
12:45 p.m. - Rockingham County will hold a Virtual Town COVID-19 Food Resources Town Hall at 3 p.m.
The county said Aging, Disability & Transit Services and community partners will host a virtual discussion on accessing food resources during COVID-19.
Rockingham County said community partners include Reidsville Outreach Center, L.O.T 2540, Market Square Farmers Market, and Dirst Baptist Church Mayodan and said a livestream will be available on Rockingham's Aging, Disability & Transit Services' Facebook page.
10:30 a.m. - Infectious disease expert Dr. Christopher Ohl with Wake Forest Baptist Health provides coronavirus updates. Watch live in this story.
- Dr. Ohl said there are two different types of tests to test for COVID-19, being a nose test and blood test.
- Ohl said blood tests measure whether COVID-19 has been present in a person’s body.
- Like all tests there are pluses and minuses, Ohl said.
- “Sometimes tests may possibly read inaccurately,” Ohl said. “If you’ve been tested and you’re negative it doesn’t mean you let down your guard, or take off your masks, and it doesn’t mean you do not social distance.”
- Ohl said young adults can catch COVID-19 and are not immune to the disease.
8:55 a.m. – LabCorp announced the launch of a new return to work service for employers.
According to a press release from LabCorp, many U.S. companies have asked for the company’s assistance as they implement each of their return to work strategies for the summer and fall.
“To meet this urgent demand, LabCorp Employer Services provides customized return to work solutions using LabCorp’s trained medical staff for employee check-in health questionnaires, temperature screens, and COVID-19 test collection at the employer site or offsite,” the company said in a press release.
LabCorp said the service gives employers access to LabCorp’s COVID-19 testing solutions including its at-home collection test kit, its new fingerstick antibody blood test, and in the fall, flu vaccination services.
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.
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