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.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2020
10:25 p.m. - In a virtual one-on-one interview, Governor Roy Cooper discussed how his team is tackling reopening plans while considering coronavirus trends.
8:00 p.m. - Greensboro postal worker uses her stimulus check to help high school seniors!
7:00 p.m. Attorney Matthew Harbin from the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin and Dennis Toman, President and Attorney at The Elderlaw Firm, answer your questions from the workplace to wills.
6:07 p.m. - Case of COVID-19 identified at Southmont Elementary School in Randolph County.
The school is following the guidance of the director of Randolph County Public Health. As a result, the feeding site at Southmont Elementary School has been closed until May 18.
5:15 p.m. - Cone Health is going to hold its first virtual 5k. It’s called the #ConeHealthCares Virtual 5k/10K.
This event will raise funds for the COVID-19 Support Fund which was created to support patients, caregivers, families and communities in our region in response to the pandemic.
There are 5 steps to this virtual race:
Step 1. Register or sign up for a team.
Step 2. Download the Event Tool Kit and decide the route.
Step 3. Complete the virtual 5K or 10K between May 17th and May 31st.
Step 4. Report results.
Step 5. Participants can tell their friends and keep them updated on social media using the hashtags #ConeHealthCares or #ConeHealthStrong.
For more details, visit the FAQ page.
5:00 p.m. - First responders can get their vehicles cleaned for free.
ServPro of Greensboro will be sanitizing the interior of patrol cars, fire trucks, and ambulances at no charge. The event is May 15 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m. - The North Carolina Technology Association (NC TECH) will host a statewide Virtual Tech Job Fair on Wednesday, May 20 from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
The 20+ participating employers are hiring for hundreds of jobs collectively and other exhibitors are offering informational resources.
4:00 p.m. - 50 new COVID-19 cases have been reported since yesterday in Forsyth County.
There have been 495 laboratory-confirmed cases in Forsyth County. All cases reported by the Forsyth County Department of Public Health are Forsyth County residents. Of the 495, 210 have recovered.
2 p.m. - Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. and Director of NC Emergency Mike Sprayberry will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. regarding COVID-19.
Key points:
- Starting Monday families impacted by school closing will get food benefits. The program provides about $370 per child over two installments. Children receiving free and reduced lunch will receive the benefit and do not have to apply.
- Cohen said they continue to watch coronavirus trends and day-over-day new case counts are stable. They look at a number of data each day. We need to be sure we continue to watch, wait and wear.
- While there is more antibody tests, we are still in the process of understanding what it means. There is still more scientific work needed to see if we need repeat testing. Cohen said, they are good for getting a snapshot of who has been exposed of had COVID-19.
12 p.m. - The Greensboro Police Department will resume fingerprinting services beginning May 14th.
They will only take them via appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here to schedule one. Visitors will also have to follow several guidelines. They're also visible at that link.
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020
10:30 p.m. - Novant Health has initiated a third COVID-19 clinical trial.
In contrast to the leronlimab trials we’re conducting, DAS181 is exclusively being used to treat hospitalized patients that require oxygen support. The treatment will be administered twice a day for ten days. DAS181 is administered as a mist that patients inhale directly into the lungs. Known as a "nebulized treatment," it's a common way to treat asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Enrollment sites are Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center.
10 p.m. - Alamance County Health Department has identified COVID-19 cases at the nursing facility Peak Resources in Graham.
Currently, two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the facility. Both confirmed cases are among the staff.
There have been no cases identified in residents at this time.
8:15 p.m. - Harris Teeter announced it will partner with Kroger Health and The Little Clinic to offer free COVID-19 tests for qualifying individuals in the Carolinas.
Testing will begin Friday, May 15 at the following locations:
- Guilford County – City of High Point Parking Deck – 120 West Commerce Ave. High Point, N.C. 27260.
- Hoke County – Don Steed Elementary School – 800 Philippi Church Rd. Raeford, N.C. 28376
- Charleston County – Charleston Convention Center – 5000 Coliseum Drive - North Charleston, S.C. 29418
Testing will be conducted three days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments will be available each Friday, Saturday & Monday through May 30, with the exception of Memorial Day.
Tests are available to qualifying individuals by appointment only. Individuals must schedule an appointment by visiting www.harristeeter.com/covidtesting.
8 p.m. - Sheetz employee tests positive for COVID-19 in Winston-Salem.
The employee tested positive for coronavirus at the Sheetz in Winston-Salem on Gumtree Road.
Nick Ruffner, PR Manager at Sheetz released the following statment:
“Sheetz was informed today that an employee at our store location on Gumtree Road in Winston-Salem, NC, has tested positive for COVID-19. Our top priority is the health and wellness of our customers and employees. This employee has not worked at this store location since May 4, 2020, and according to our on-going protocols, this store has been conducting daily cleaning, sanitization and disinfecting. Therefore, we will not be closing this store location. We will continue to put the health and well-being of our customers and employees first as this unprecedented health crisis continues.”
6:45 p.m. - Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools announced high schools will hold their own virtual ceremonies for graduating seniors.
The district also announced a week after virtual ceremonies are held, schools will host a drive-by diploma pickup which will include a chance for graduates to walk across a graduation stage and take pictures.
6 p.m. - Guilford County Schools announced it will postpone its traditional graduation ceremonies in May and June due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The district also announced 28 high schools will hold “drive-thru” recognitions to honor graduating seniors.
5 p.m. - HPU talks about plans for students to return for summer sessions.
- All students, faculty, and staff participating in Summer Session II will be pre-screened before returning to campus. Instructions on how to complete the pre-screen will be sent directly to their HPU email addresses.
- Proudly wear your face mask in all public areas – The university will supply all students, faculty and staff with a reusable cloth face mask to help you do your part.
- Practice physical distancing to keep yourself and those around you safe – You will notice visual markers the university has installed to support you in these efforts. Pay close attention to them. Even when there aren’t visual cues, you should always practice physical distancing by maintaining 6 feet of space between you and others.
- Practice good hygiene and perform self-health assessments – Visual reminders to wash your hands regularly will also be placed throughout campus. Remember to practice good hygiene and perform self-health assessments such as taking your temperature regularly to ensure that you are healthy before visiting public areas of campus.
- Monitor your HPU email and new postings throughout campus as the university will continuously evaluate and make adjustments as this fluid situation progresses.
- Read these resources thoroughly to ensure you are informed and educated:
- Practice a growth mindset! We realize this situation has been deeply saddening for many affected families around the world. We also realize that the changes that must be enacted to further prevent the spread of the coronavirus will cause discomfort as change always does. However, the university is committed to doing its part to follow these guidelines. By following these guidelines, you will help maintain the safety of your HPU home and our campus environment.
4:30 p.m. - Triad Goodwill announced it will provide virtual job fairs.
The new service will give jobseekers the chance to meet 'face-to-face' with employers. The event will be held May 13 and 27. Job seekers can pre-register with their computers or smartphones at www.triadgoodwill.org/virtualjobfair. Triad Goodwill's Virtual Job Fair events will take place on Wednesday, May 13 and 27 at 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., with hourly sessions both days at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Featured employers at the first Virtual Job Fair event include Spectrum, XLC Services, Cintas, Graham Personnel, The Reserves Network, Papa John's and Triad Goodwill, with more employers to be announced.
4:15 p.m. - Simply Asian, a Thai restaurant in Asheboro, will be giving away free food to first responders and workers at Randolph Health hospital.
The event will take place between 11 a.m. and 12 noon on Wednesday, May 13 and May 20. People will drive through the parking lot to receive their ready-to-go take out food.
4 p.m. - Hundreds of inmates released from medical isolation from COVID-19.
The majority of offenders in the state prison system who tested positive for COVID-19 are now presumed to have recovered.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) said of the 642 individuals testing positive among eleven prison facilities, more than 500 have now met the DHHS and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria to be released from medical isolation.
The majority of offenders (427) presumed to be recovered are housed at the Neuse Correctional Institution in Goldsboro, where 467 offenders tested positive for the virus, most in a prison-wide testing operation from April 15-16. Over ninety percent of those individuals remained asymptomatic.
All the offenders at Bertie, Caledonia, and Pasquotank correctional institutions who tested positive for COVID-19 are now presumed to be recovered.
Of the 91 offenders who tested COVID-19 positive at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, more than 50 are now presumed recovered.
2 p.m. - Gov. Roy Cooper and the North Carolina coronavirus task force provide updates. Watch live in this story.
- Gov. Roy Cooper said more businesses and stores have reopened under Phase 1 of the reopening plan.
- “The virus is likely for us to be with awhile regardless of what Phase we’re in, we’ll continue to look out for each other,” Cooper said.
- Cooper and the North Carolina coronavirus task force emphasized the 3 W’s.
- Cooper said an increase in coronavirus testing is a critical part in order to ease restrictions.
- Testing goes hand-in-hand with tracing, Cooper said.
- Cooper said successful tracing builds itself on and requires more tests to be performed.
- He said many testing sites have open to the public.
- Gov. Roy Cooper acknowledged Manufacturer of trade show displays business Apple Rock in Greensboro as a critical piece in the fight against COVID-19, as the company has changed production to help make personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Cooper said the company is making isolation gowns for frontline workers.
- “Our state has a rich history of being a leader in manufacturing,” Cooper said. “Thank you to these men and women working at these North Carolina companies.”
- North Carolina will get through this pandemic by working together, Cooper said.
- Cooper said he looks forward to more innovation, creativity and team spirit.
- Secretary Mandy Cohen recommends staying healthy, remaining active, exercising and staying in contact with family and friends.
1 p.m. - FastMed Urgent Care, one of the nation’s largest urgent care providers, now gives patients the option to receive care via telemedicine for a wide range of urgent care symptoms and is offering reliable COVID-19 testing that is approved under FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization at 29 locations across North Carolina, Arizona, and Texas.
Noon - The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles re-opened its headquarters in Raleigh, which closed May 7 after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
That employee worked in an area not open to the public.
9:15 a.m. - Wake Forest Baptist Health updates safety guidelines. All visitors, staff and patients will be required to wear safety masks inside any Wake Forest Baptist Health location.
Patients and visitors can wear personal, homemade, cloth or dust masks. Those not wearing a mask will be provided with one.
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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