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.
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020
7:00 p.m. - The deadline for the $500 child stimulus money is Wednesday!
6:30 p.m. - Most common stimulus questions answered.
Heather Black is the North Carolina 2-1-1 Statewide Director and Samantha Anderson is with Stobers Tax Service. They joined WFMY News 2 to answer your questions about the stimulus payments.
5:00 p.m. - The White House coronavirus Task Force provided an update.
The Trump Administration along with Congress has worked to get funding for the nation that includes:
- $382 billion to small businesses so they can keep workers on payroll
- $75 billion to aid hospitals
- $25 billion to support coronavirus testing
President Trump said 20 states representing 40% of the U.S. population have announced they are making plans and preparations to safely restart their economies in the near future.
The White House coronavirus Task Force said the bill passed in the senate today will provide an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program.
3:40 p.m. - The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced they are delaying all, but about 50 major projects scheduled to start within the next 12 months.
The department said they anticipate significant impacts to all NCDOT programs and services and said traffic volumes have plummeted, causing at least a $300 million budget shortfall for their current fiscal year.
3:30 p.m. - Chipotle Mexican Grill agreed to pay a record $25 million fine over foodborne illness outbreaks.
The fine is to resolve criminal charges regarding the restaurant serving tainted food that sickened more than 1,100 people in the U.S. from 2015 to 2018, said federal prosecutors.
Federal prosecutors said the fine was the largest fine in a food safety case.
3:00 p.m. - Novant Health purchases 75,000 masks to combat community-spread of COVID-19.
Novant Health announced today that it supports communitywide masking in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and will extend that commitment to every community it serves.
“Since COVID-19 first appeared in North Carolina, our team members and communities have stepped up to do their part to fight the spread of this virus,” stated Carl Armato, president and chief executive officer of Novant Health. “Community groups in Charlotte, Winston-Salem and the coastal community have sewn thousands of masks. Today, I’m proud to announce that Novant Health will add thousands more masks to this fight.”
Over the coming weeks, Novant Health will distribute cloth masks to team members, patients and visitors across the state. In addition to team members, 45,000 masks will be distributed at respiratory assessment centers and to the vulnerable community members receiving care at Novant Health Waughtown locations and the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic and our mobile screening sites.
2:00 p.m. - Governor Roy Cooper and the state coronavirus task force gives an update on the coronavirus in North Carolina.
- NCDHHS Director Dr. Cohen said new numbers are showing concerning trends of coronavirus in the African American community.
- Dr. Cohen said 30 percent of people getting COVID-19 are African Americans, and 37 percent of COVID-19 deaths are African Americans.
- Gov. Cooper will sign an executive order to help expand unemployment benefits to furloughed workers.
- 100 National Guard trucks will be delivering items to food banks across the state this week.
12:00 p.m. - Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines, medical professionals, and business leaders announced the 'Mask the City' initiative to help make masks available for all citizens to wear for the next 40 days.
11:00 a.m. - NCDHHS is reporting 6,951 coronavirus cases in the state and 213 deaths. The majority of the cases (39 percent) are between the age of 25-49, but people over the age of 65 make up the most deaths at 85 percent.
10:30 a.m. - LabCorp received federal authorization of its at-home coronavirus test kits. The kits are $119 and you must meet certain criteria to order one.
10:00 a.m. - Duke University experts will discuss coronavirus testing issues. Testing for exposure to COVID-19 appears to be crucial in any move toward reopening society. But questions about the accuracy and reliability of available testing mean the outlook remains unclear. Three Duke University medical professors will discuss these questions and other testing issues during a video conference call.
9:15 a.m. - A Burlington Lowes Foods employee tested positive for coronavirus, the grocery chain confirmed Tuesday. The employee is receiving medical care and the grocery store will remain open.
7:45 a.m. - Join our live conversation on AFTER GMS. Studies show one in four people are feeling lonely during the coronavirus pandemic. How are you feeling and how are you checking on your loved ones? Plus, there's no better time to pick up a book while you're at home more! We asked about your favorite quarantine reads.
Tuesday news to note:
- Reopen NC has a protest planned in Raleigh at 11 a.m. The group wants for non-essential workers to be able to go back to work. Gov. Cooper said the protest is allowed, as long as it's outside and people stand six feet apart.
- Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head beaches will all remain closed.
- A Greensboro native shares the harrowing experience of being a nurse in the ICU unit of a Navy Ship in New York City.
- Governor Roy Cooper and the state coronavirus task force will hold a press briefing at 2 p.m. Cooper has not yet said if he will extend the stay-at-home order past April 29, or if students will go back to school by May 18. He has recently said that parents will deserve an answer soon. We will stream the press conference live in this story.
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.