GREENSBORO, N.C. — WFMY News 2 is providing coronavirus updates with the latest information from emergency leaders, the state's task force, health departments, universities, school districts and a lot more. Click here to see the latest cases being reported in North Carolina.
CLOSINGS/DELAYS
Schools, businesses and organizations are already announcing closings. Get the latest list of closings and delays, right here.
You can also text keyword CLOSINGS to 336-379-5775 to get it even faster to your phone.
CORONAVIRUS BLOG
TUESDAY, MARCH 17
9:50 p.m. - List of school districts with coronavirus hotlines
8:15 p.m. - Coronavirus cases in all 50 states.
7:40 p.m. - Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines says all recreation centers have been closed, Salem Lake is open for fishing but the fishing station is closed, and they have enhanced sanitation efforts and cleaning for City Buses.
7:35 p.m. - Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines and other local officials will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, to announce a comprehensive community initiative to help residents affected by the economic impact of the coronavirus.
7:00 p.m. - The City of Winston-Salem says six city council members and two other staff members are in self-quarantine after attending a conference last week.
RELATED: 6 Winston-Salem City Council, 2 other staff members in self-quarantine after attending conference
6:15 p.m. - The Greensboro ABC Board would like to correct a misstatement made by a local radio station today, according to the board.
Stores are not closing for two weeks starting tonight at 5:00 pm. This erroneous announcement resulted in panic buying and created potential unsafe environments for our team members and patrons. Clearly it was not in the public interest. The Greensboro ABC Board and staff strive to continue to responsibly serve our consumers during this public health crisis. All Greensboro stores are open until 9:00 pm tonight. Any amended hours, closings or other policy and operational changes are posted on our website to notify the public in advance.
5:35 p.m. - The Southern Conference is canceling all athletics-related activities for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, including competition, championships, organized practices and meetings, due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus disease.
The Southern Conference released the following:
“With the recent developments during this unprecedented coronavirus crisis, the membership feels it is necessary to revise our position and cancel all athletic related activities for the spring,” Schaus said. “The health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans is of utmost importance and discontinuing all activities is prudent and necessary."
“My heart breaks for those student-athletes who will not get the opportunity to compete in Southern Conference regular-season and championship events this year as well as some potentially in NCAA championships. However, protecting their health will always be most important and supporting their welfare our hallmark."
“I am proud of our Southern Conference institutions on how we have worked together during this crisis. This has certainly been challenging, with more to come, but I know that we will persevere and return to future excellence.”
5:30 p.m. - PGA cancelling more tournaments including the Wells Fargo Championship that was set for April 27th-May 3rd at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte.
5:15 p.m. - The DMV will be closing about 60 offices as a response to the coronavirus.
Customers who have appointments at those offices are being contacted and will be given new appointments once those offices re-open. Affected employees will be re-assigned to help staff the more than 50 offices that are scheduled to remain open, or to assist at DMV customer service call centers.
You can check on the status of your local office on the DMV website.
4:15 p.m. - Non-essential surgeries, procedures, and ambulatory appointments to be rescheduled at Wake Forest Baptist Health
Find out more: Wake Forest Baptist Health
3:00 p.m. - Novant Health announces they will reschedule non-essential surgeries, procedures and ambulatory appointments. The company says rescheduling these appointments will minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 among patients, visitors and healthcare providers.
2:00 p.m. - Governor Roy Cooper is holding a press conference to give a coronavirus update. He is announcing an executive order for all North Carolina restaurants and bars to close their dining rooms. Right now, there are 41 cases of coronavirus in the state, that's according to NCDHHS and the Guilford County Public Health Department.
11:30 a.m. - The White House is giving an update on the coronavirus task force. Watch live here.
11:00 a.m. - Guilford County Division of Public Health announces it received a confirmation of a positive coronavirus case in Guilford County. The patient traveled to Orlando, Florida prior to getting symptoms of the virus.
10:30 a.m. - Governor Roy Cooper orders all North Carolina restaurants to close to dine-in customers. Take-out and delivery will be allowed. This executive order goes into effect at 5 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - NCDHHS is reporting 40 cases of coronavirus in the state - an increase of seven since last night.
8:00 a.m. - Samaritan's Purse volunteers are flying to Italy to help with the coronavirus crisis. Here they are taking off in Greensboro.
6:00 a.m. - Samaritan's Purse is preparing to fly a plane full of emergency medical supplies to a hospital in Italy. According to the World Health Organization, Italy has reported the second-most coronavirus cases.
MONDAY, March 16
11:51 p.m. - Amazon hiring to help with orders due to coronavirus. They are hiring 100,000 workers and that includes even some job positions at the Colfax location.
Amazon says the website should be updated this week as the jobs are rolled out.
10:15 p.m. - The North Carolina Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier will close to the public temporarily starting March 17.
The North Carolina Aquariums at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores and Fort Fisher, and Jennette's Pier in Nags Head will all close under this directive.
10:03 p.m. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded North Carolina $13.8 million to support state and local health officials in their response to COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus.
10:00 p.m. - North Carolina State parks, including visitor centers and campgrounds, will suspend public operations beginning Tues., Mar. 17. Trails and restrooms will remain open.
Refunds will be given for upcoming camping reservations by calling 1-877-7-CAMP-NC (877-722-6762). Check back here and at ncparks.gov for updates.
9:21 p.m. - North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper tweets, "Even the biggest rivals agree, when it comes to stopping COVID-19 we've got to be on the same team."
8:15 p.m. - The North Carolina Zoo temporarily closes
7:43 p.m. - Gold’s Gym has made the decision to temporarily close all company-owned Gold’s Gym locations in the U.S. including Texas, Oklahoma, St. Louis, and Carolina gyms through March 31, 2020, to do its part in slowing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
7:18 p.m. - App State Athletics canceled
The Sun Belt Conference announced that the league is canceling all organized athletics-related activities, including regular-season competitions, conference championships and practices, through the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year.
"These are uncharted waters for us in college athletics and in our society, for which there is no playbook. Our hearts go out to all that are being affected by this pandemic," said Director of Athletics Doug Gillin. "Our priority is always the health and well-being of our student-athletes, so we are following the guidance of state and local health officials, university leadership and the Sun Belt Conference in all of our decision-making. We will continue working every day to take care of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, to make sure our student-athletes have the resources to be successful academically. We encourage everyone to stay safe, take precautions and follow the recommendations of health professionals. We will continue to proactively communicate with the App Family and look forward to when we can all be together cheering on the Mountaineers again."
7:15 p.m. - List of school districts providing meals to students for free.
7:12 p.m. - The FPHL is canceling the remainder of its season, and that includes the Carolina Thunderbirds.
FPHL released the following: "The Federal Prospects Hockey League and its Board of Governors have voted that the 2019-20 season will be canceled effective immediately. Member clubs were informed of the decision on Monday afternoon. This is a decision the FPHL does not take lightly but in keeping with the protocols set by medical experts at the federal, state and local levels there was no course of action that made sense from any standpoint to continue the season when it would eventually be allowed to go on. The FPHL would like to thank its fans for their incredible support of the league and its member teams and we look forward to having a successful 2020-21 season."
6:59 p.m. - All NASCAR races through May 3 are postponed
NASCAR released the following: “The health and safety of our fans, industry and the communities in which we race is our most important priority, so in accordance with recent CDC guidance, NASCAR is currently postponing all race events through May 3rd, with plans to return racing in Martinsville. We appreciate the patience of our fans and we look forward to returning to the racetrack. We intend to hold all 36 races this season, with future rescheduling soon to be determined as we continue to monitor this situation closely with public health officials and medical experts. What is important now transcends the world of sports and our focus is on everyone’s safety and well-being as we navigate this challenging time together.”
6:00 p.m. - The United Way teams up with the City of Greensboro to create virus fund to help families
5:30 p.m. - Coronavirs question and answer session with Cone Health's Chief Physician Executive, Doctor Bruce Swords.
5:20 p.m. - High Point Rockers season delayed, according to Atlantic League President Rick White
“As the Coronavirus pandemic evolves, the ALPB remains focused on the health and well-being of our neighbors, fans, players, umpires, and employees,” White said. “When these challenging circumstances pass, we look forward to welcoming fans to our ballparks, putting smiles on their faces, and creating lifelong memories.”
White added that an announcement regarding the ALPB 2020 Championship Season schedule will be made at a future date on all team and Atlantic League websites and official social media platforms. Schedule decisions, he said, will be based on the Atlantic League’s monitoring of news and public information sources, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization, and state and local health departments for the communities to which ALPB clubs belong.
5:10 p.m. - The North Carolina Coronavirus Hotline has received 6,273 calls since it opened.
5:00 p.m. - North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has asked the federal government’s small business agency to declare an emergency because of the coronavirus.
3:30 p.m. - President Trump is asking all Americans to avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people and avoid dining at restaurants and bars.
2:30 p.m. - Bennett College announces it will not have a traditional commencement ceremony due to coronavirus concerns. The college is canceling on-campus classes for the rest of the spring semester and is switching to online learning instead. Bennett will identify ways to confer degrees for graduating seniors and celebrate their accomplishments.
1:10 p.m. - Governor Cooper requested the Small Business Administration to issue a disaster declaration for business owners in North Carolina facing economic hardship because of coronavirus.
12:30 p.m. - Cone Health says it will open drive-thru coronavirus testing tomorrow at 8 a.m. Check out more details here.
11:30 a.m. - Proehlific Park making some changes to their guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19. They will no longer be accepting non-members, they will not allow drop-in for pickleball or soccer. If you're coming to workout, they ask you do not bring your children. Youth Drop-In Care is being offered to members, after school participants, first respondents, health care professionals, those that participated in after school or summer camp within the last year.
11:00 a.m. - NCDHHS is reporting the 33rd case of coronavirus in the state. The interactive map shows the newest case is out of Wilson County.
7:45 a.m. - Some states have closed restaurants and bars for coronavirus precautions. Many people are wondering if Greensboro will do the same. Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan says it all depends on what actions Governor Roy Cooper takes next. She explains [North Carolina] is a Dillon Rule state. This means cities can't take more restrictive actions than the state. So, no restaurants and bars are closing for now in Greensboro, but Mayor Vaughan says she thinks that could change as the Governor continues to follow CDC recommendations on mass gatherings. Right now, the CDC recommends no mass gatherings of 50 people or more.
7:15 a.m. - Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan will answer your coronavirus questions in our AFTER GMS digital newscast. Text your questions to 336-379-5775. After GMS will run at 7:30 a.m. on our Facebook page.
6:30 a.m. - Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan stops by the Good Morning Show to talk about how the city taking coronavirus precautions. She recommends for people to stay home if at all possible to limit their exposure to the virus. Right now, there are no cases of coronavirus in Guilford County, but Mayor Vaughan says realistically, it's only a matter of time before there are.
SUNDAY, March 15
10:00 p.m. - YMCA of Northwest North Carolina in Winston-Salem will close all facilities until effective March 16 through at least the end of the business day Sunday, March 29.
9:25 p.m. - Rei Retail Stores announced they are closing stores until March 27. The chain made the announcement via their online website.
6:40 p.m. - Rockingham County Schools announces schools will temporarily open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, March 16 in order to allow parents time to pick up their student’s belongings and medication. The school district says administrators will be there with staff members and says schools will be closed to all students and staff after 3 p.m., Monday.
The school system says Kids Companion Child Care made possible through Rockingham County Schools is currently unavailable.
6:30 p.m. - The North Carolina Folk Festival canceled their “Folk in the Park” event which was to take place in Greensboro’s LeBauer Park on Saturday, March 21.
6:00 p.m. - Guilford County Schools holds another presser regarding school closure(s) and provides updates.
4:55 p.m. - High Point Museum released the museum will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16 until further notice.
3:41 p.m. - President Trump announces news Conference by the Coronavirus Task Force today at the White House scheduled for 5 P.M.
1:30 p.m. - Greensboro Children's Museum closes temporarily amid COVID-19.
12:39 p.m. - Hornets Sports & Entertainment implement plan to provide financial assistance to HSE employees.
12:01 p.m. - NC coronavirus updates: 32 cases currently reported statewide
9:00 a.m. - From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools will open an informational hotline. Parents and students with questions related to the closure can call (336) 661-3128.
8:30 a.m. - Guilford County Schools Superintendent Sharon Contreras stops by the WFMY News 2 Studio to answers questions.
SATURDAY, March 14
8:30 p.m. - Grandfather Mountain announces they will close for two weeks, effective Sunday, March 15.
5:12 p.m. - Guilford County Schools to hold press conference in response to Gov. Roy Cooper's order to close NC schools.
4:35 p.m. - Gov. Roy Cooper made the executive order to close all public schools in North Carolina.
4:30 p.m. - Gov. Roy Cooper set to speak along with health and education leaders on COVID-19 at 4:30 p.m.
3:25 p.m. - WFMY News 2 stopped by Subway on Battleground Avenue in Greensboro and found a note which asks all customers to request a new cup each time they choose to refill their drinks, amid the coronavirus outbreak.
3:18 p.m. - Gov. Roy Cooper, along with health and education leaders, to share an update on COVID-19 at 4:30 p.m.
3:06 p.m. - Greensboro Day School is moving to a Level 3 Pandemic Response and will remain at this level through Friday, April 3. Greensboro Day School says it will transition to their distance learning plan for two weeks following spring break.
Level 3: Campus is open to employees only
- Distance learning plan will go into effect
- Employees are working on-site
- Social distancing measures applied for employees
12:05 p.m. - Harris Teeter announced that it will begin closing its stores at 9 p.m. Sunday, March 15 so the store can focus on cleaning and the replenishment of products.
12:00 p.m. - The president says he has taken the coronavirus test and expects the results to come back in a day or two.
11:30 a.m. - Beginning March 14, all Publix locations will close at 8 p.m. nightly until further notice. The early closure time the store says is “to better serve our customers, give our store teams time to conduct additional preventive sanitation and restock product on shelves.”
11:00 a.m. - The NC Department of Health and Human Services currently lists 23 cases on its website tracking coronavirus cases in the state, in an update published Saturday morning.
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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