North Carolina Coronavirus Updates — July 16, 2020 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:


    Governor Roy Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced that K-12 public schools will operate with a combination of limited in-person and remote learning this school year under a modified Plan B outlined in the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit. Districts are able to choose Plan C, which calls for classed to be held entirely by remote learning and health leaders recommend schools allow families to opt-in to all-remote learning.

    Additional safety requirements and recommendations to reopen in-person instruction include:

• Requiring face coverings for all teachers and students K-12
• Limiting the total number of students, staff and visitors within a school building to ensure 6 feet distance can be maintained when students/staff will be stationary
• Conducting symptom screening, including temperature checks
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in the school and transportation vehicles regularly
• Discontinue activities that bring together large groups

    "The most important opening is that of our classroom doors. Our schools provide more than academics; they are vital to our children's' health, safety and emotional development," said Governor Cooper. "This is a difficult time for families with hard choices on every side. I am committed to working together to ensure our students and educators are as safe as possible and that children have opportunities to learn in the way that is best for them and their families."

    In addition to the two-month supply of PPE packs schools received in June, the state will provide five reusable face coverings for every student, teacher, and school staff member in public schools.

    Read the Press Release and the FAQs on School Reopening in English and in Spanish

    Find more details in the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit in English and in Spanish

    Read the Screening Reference Guide for schools and the Infection Control and PPE Guidance.

    See NCDPI's Public Health implementation plan.

    Information is changing rapidly, this update is current as of July 2, 2020

    It's important to rely on trusted sources of information about COVID-19. Keep up with the latest information on Coronavirus in North Carolina HERE.

    Text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive general information and updates about COVID-19 and North Carolina's response.

    Dial 2-1-1 provides free, confidential information and is available 24 hours a day to help you find resources within your community. They can connect you with people and groups that can help with questions about access to food, shelter, health care, employment and child care.

    Families who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to find free meal sites in their communities.

    Make sure to prioritize your overall wellness and don't hesitate to seek additional help. Optum has a toll-free 24-hour Emotional Support Help Line at 866-342-6892 for people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress due to Coronavirus.

    You can track the disease in real time through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 NC Dashboard. It includes detailed information about the state's COVID-19 confirmed cases, hospital capacity and more.

    Tuesday, Governor Cooper also announced that North Carolina will continue to pause in Safer At Home Phase 2 for three more weeks due to concerning trends in the data.

    "As we continue to see rising case numbers and hospitalizations, we will stay in Safer At Home Phase 2 for three more weeks," said Governor Cooper. "Our re-opening priority is the school building doors, and in order for that to happen we have to work to stabilize our virus trends."

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has announced community free testing events in Edgecombe, Halifax, Hertford, Johnston, Northampton, Sampson and Wake counties. For an up-to-date list of events, visit the Community Testing Events page. People who may not currently have symptoms but may have been exposed to COVID-19 should get tested, especially people from historically marginalized communities.

    If someone tests positive for COVID-19, the COVID-19 Community Team will reach out to connect them with needed resources. People should answer when the Community Team reaches out, via phone, text from 45394, or email from NC-ARIAS-NoReply@dhhs.nc.gov with further instructions.

    Find a nearby testing site Find My Testing Place.

    For more information visit the NCDHHS FAQs about Testing and FAQs about Contact Tracing.

    During this time it is imperative that everyone is informed about what is going on in our state. Governor Cooper's administration has been working to get information and resources translated for the Spanish speaking population in our state. Many of the Governor's press conferences, press releases, and executive orders are available in Spanish. Resources are also available in Spanish on the DHHS website.

Throughout this pandemic, the most important opening in our state has been that of our classroom doors. Yesterday, Gov. Cooper announced that North Carolina schools will be opening this fall for both in-person and remote learning. pic.twitter.com/3IkRtSfgKh

— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) July 15, 2020

Many of the people risking their own safety to support our children right now can’t afford health care. That’s unacceptable. We need to expand Medicaid so that we can get our childcare workers out of the coverage gap and make our state a healthier place.https://t.co/w56sOU7ENn

— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) July 13, 2020