North Carolina Coronavirus Updates — August 14, 2020 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:


    Thursday, Governor Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. updated the public that North Carolina's COVID-19 trends remain stable.

    "As we remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 and school goes back into session, now is the time to double down on our efforts. Not only will it boost the economy, but it could also save your life or the life of a loved one," said Governor Cooper.

    The number of cases in the state has stabilized, but is still too high. Hospitalizations numbers remain stable as well with NC hospitals maintaining bed availability across the state. North Carolina is equipped with the PPE and supplies to continue fighting the pandemic as supplies continue to distributed where needed. Testing turn around has gotten faster meaning people are getting their results back quicker, and efforts continue to increase the number of tests performed.

    Governor Cooper encourages all North Carolinas to practice the 3 W's: Wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth, Wait 6 feet apart. Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.

    Information is changing rapidly, this update is current as of August 14, 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.

    North Carolina families in need of childcare can call the child care hotline 1-888-600-1685 to be connected with child care options in their communities for school-age children up to age 12.

    "Remote learning and new school schedules present challenges if you are a working parent. This resource can help make sure children have safe, reliable care. We will continue working on ways we can help families through this difficult time," said Governor Cooper.

    The hotline is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Licensed child care professionals meeting the NCDHHS health and safety guidelines are available to provide care through this service. For more information about child care during COVID-19, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/information/child-care/child-care-information-families.

    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.

    Governor Cooper directed North Carolina's share of the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund from the CARES Act to support K-12 public and post secondary students most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for this upcoming school year.

    "To help schools teach effectively and safely, we have directed $95 million in federal funds to help with more school nurses and counselors as well as educational support for students at risk of falling behind," said Governor Cooper.

    GEER funds provide emergency support to school districts, post secondary institutions, or other education-related entities for addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This investment in K-12 education will help keep students learning despite the limitations on in-person schooling during the pandemic. The funds also help North Carolina begin to meet its constitutional obligation to provide all students with access to a sound, basic education and resolve the Leandro case.

    Funds include $60 million to the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction to hire additional school personnel, support the academic needs of at-risk students and students with disabilities. Additionally, $25.5 million was allocated to the Community College system, UNC system, School of Math and Science, School of the Arts, and independent colleges and universities to address the needs of students and programs during the higher education academic year.

    Read the Press Release.

    Completing the census will help us count the number of people in our state, which is how the federal government divides tax dollars to states and communities. As of July, more than 40% of North Carolinians, over 4 million people, had not been counted, which could mean a loss of $7.4 billion dollars per year for North Carolina for health care, education, highways, and community and economic development is at risk.

    An incomplete count puts representation in Congress and and federal funding our state needs in jeopardy.

    The count is lagging behind in Eastern North Carolina where many of our military families live and where so many have been hit hard by recent storms. Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to participate in the count. Census workers will begin knocking on doors on August 11th to ensure we all are counted.

    You can complete the 2020 Census safely at home online at my2020census.gov and by phone (844–330–2020 in English, 844–468–2020 in Spanish), or submit by mail.

    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.

Closing the coverage gap would help more than 500,000 North Carolinians get the health care they need. COVID-19 has made this even more urgent. It’s time to do the right thing and expand Medicaid. https://t.co/IgLicn9t58

— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) August 10, 2020