RALEIGH, N.C. — Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus from North Carolina and across the globe showing the pandemic’s impact on health, jobs, schools and more:
At least 29,433 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus, at least 936 people have died and another 650 or so remain in the hospital. State officials estimate 14,954 people have recovered from coronavirus infections, and over 400,000 tests have been completed.
Latest updates
10:30 p.m.: Wake County Public Health officials have confirmed at outbreak of COVID-19 in HeartFields assisted living facility in Cary. It was not disclosed how many people tested positive. The N.C. Department of Health and Human services defines an "outbreak" at as two or more postive cases.
2 p.m.: In her daily coronavirus briefing, North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen addressed racial disparities in the health system evident in the spread of the virus in the state.
"People of color deal with far too many inequities," she said. "Just look at our COVID-19 dashboard. African Americans make up 22% of the state population but 34% of COVID deaths."
11:15 a.m.: North Carolina more than doubled the number of coronavirus tests administered in May compared to the month before. In April, 128,517 tests were given. In May, there were 287,772 tests. The percentage of positive tests has remained steady at 6.9%.
The daily average number of those hospitalized with the virus continues to rise. It was 664 on Monday.
The state also reported another 21 deaths on Monday.
10:30 a.m.: The
restaurants and businesses of American Tobacco campus in downtown Durham are planning a gradual reopening this week. Mellow Mushroom, Moe's and Tobacco Road will begin offering limited dine-in service on Monday. Boricua Soul is asking customers to order ahead online and is offering patio dining.
9:30 a.m.: Gov. Roy Cooper has ordered all North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff for a Day of Mourning to honor those who passed away from the novel coronavirus.
A moment of silence for the coronavirus dead, which number more than 100,000 across the country, is planned for noon EST.
“This is an opportunity to remind ourselves that our death count is not just a number, it represents people, communities and families in mourning. I encourage North Carolinians to join in this moment of silence in honor of the people we have lost and their loved ones who are struggling in the wake of this cruel virus,” Cooper said.
8:30 a.m.: Wake County is launching drive-thru COVID-19 testing for at-risk residents. Tests will be administered from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday, June 1, through Thursday, June 4, at the Wake County Commons Building parking lot at 4011 Carya Dr. in Raleigh.
Have COVID-like symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and loss of smell;
- Those who have been in close contact with a known positive case of COVID-19;
- Are healthcare workers or first responders;
- Work in high-risk settings like long-term care facilities, correctional facilities or homeless shelters;
- Are 65 years old or older;
- Have underlying health conditions;
- Are a member of a vulnerable or historically marginalized population; or
- Are a frontline worker in a setting where social distancing is difficult.
8:05 a.m.: Doctors have identified a worrisome new symptom in some coronavirus patients: dangerously low oxygen levels without any outward signs of difficulty breathing.
"We've seen in about 10% of patients,," said Dr. Peter Pronovost of University Hospitals Cleveland. ""If their oxygen goes low, we call them and say 'go to the hospital, you need some interventions'."
8:00 a.m.: At 8 a.m., Durham relaxed its coronavirus protection measures. The city will replace the stay-at-home order with a safer-at-home order. People will still have to wear face masks, and indoor and outdoor groups are limited to 10 people with social distancing required. Under the state's order, gatherings are limited to 25 people.
7:30 a.m.: Two more COVID-19 deaths have been reported among the inmates at the federal prison in Butner. Officials said 79-year-old Steve Robinette died on Saturday and 63-year-old David Grant died on Sunday. Both had long-term pre-existing medical conditions.
More than 1,200 cases have been confirmed in correctional facilities across the state, and at least 19 people have died.
7:00 a.m.: Today, The YMCA of the Triangle will resume some summer camp programs. There will be multiple changes, including social distancing guidelines and cleaning protocols. Staff members and campers will have their temperatures checked daily. There will be one counselor to every 10 kids and limited interaction between groups.
6:15 a.m.: NASA has selected eight U.S. manufacturers to build ventilators to treat coronavirus patients. The agency said it received 100 applications from companies to build the high-pressure ventilators, which are being called vital. NASA created the prototype in 37 days using parts already available in the supply chain.
6:00 a.m.: Universal Orlando resort hotels will reopen to guests on Tuesday. Guests staying in those hotels will be able to visit the theme parks on Wednesday and Thursday prior to the public reopening on Friday.
5:45 a.m.: Frontier Airlines is the first to require temperature checks for passengers and crew members. If your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, you will have to wait at least 10 minutes and be screened again. If the second check is still that high, you won't be allowed to board.
JetBlue is also trying to restore confidence in flying with new safety measures, including checking temperatures of crew members. The airline was the first to mandate the wearing of masks.
5:15 a.m.: NHL players will be tested for coronavirus everyday when games start. The league said each test costs approximately $125, and Commissioner Gary Bettman estimated about 25,000 to 35,000 tests will be needed to get through the playoffs. If one person tested positive, the NHL wouldn't pause the season but would allow that person to self isolate.
5:00 a.m.: The Republican National Convention wants to hear from Gov. Roy Cooper by Wednesday on whether the state can fully accommodate the event on Aug. 24 in Charlotte. Gov. Cooper talked by phone with President Donald Trump about the issue, and the two disagreed about the viability of a full-fledged convention. President Trump and Republicans have said they want no coronavirus-related restrictions on attendance or hotel and restaurant capacity.
4:45 a.m.: The national average price of gas rose eight cents over the past two weeks to $2.05 per gallon. Experts say the price jump comes as crude oil costs rose and gasoline demand increased amid the widespread easing of stay-at-home orders.
The lowest local price was reported in Apex at $1.64.
4:30 a.m.: COVID-19 cases across North Carolina continue to rise. There are currently around 28,700 cases, up by nearly 2,000 since Friday.
At least 649 people are hospitalized with the virus, and the state is reporting 12 new deaths, bringing the total to 926.
