North Carolina Coronavirus Updates — November 23, 2020 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:


    Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina will tighten mask requirements as COVID-19 cases continue rising across the state. Executive Order No. 180 strengthens enforcement mandates for businesses and makes it clear that a mask must be worn whenever people are with someone outside their household. The Order also extends Phase 3 capacity limits and safety requirements until December 11.

    "I have a stark warning for North Carolinians today: We are in danger," Governor Cooper said. "This is a pivotal moment in our fight against the coronavirus. Our actions now will determine the fate of many."

    Read Executive Order No. 180 and its Frequently Asked Questions Document.

    Read the press release on today's announcement.

    Read today's update on the County Alert System.

        North Carolinians are encouraged to visit to the Community Testing Events page is to find no-cost testing sites in their communities. People who may not currently have symptoms but may have been exposed to COVID-19 or live in red zone communities should get tested. Your personal information at these testing sites are private and strictly confidential.

    Find a nearby testing site Find My Testing Place.

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

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has released safety guidance for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday events. This guidance informs North Carolinians considering holiday activities so they can protect their loved ones and slow the spread of the virus.

    "The best way to protect loved ones during Thanksgiving is to limit travel and gatherings with anyone who does not live in your household," said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen. "If you do plan to get together, there are important steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to your family and friends."

    Read the Thanksgiving guidance and learn more in this press release.


    Last Thursday, Governor Roy Cooper visited Bright View Technologies in Durham, an optical film manufacturer that started making personal protective equipment (PPE) when COVID-19 hit. The Governor thanked employees for producing more than 750,000 face shields to help protect those responding to the pandemic.

    "I am proud of the North Carolina companies, like Bright View, that saw a need for personal protective equipment and got to work making more supplies," said Governor Cooper. "This is the type of North Carolina innovation and cooperation that we need to get through this pandemic."

    Read more in this press release.

    Information is changing rapidly, this update is current as of November 23, 2020

    Keep up with the latest information on COVID-19 in North Carolina on the NCDHHS website or text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive updates about the virus and the state'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.

    The state has created the SlowCOVIDNC Exposure Notification App as a simple, effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19. Once downloaded, the app will notify you if you've been in close contact with someone who has shared a positive COVID-19 test result in the app.

    SlowCOVIDNC protects your identity and privacy while empowering you to protect yourself and your community by enabling people to anonymously share if they've tested positive for COVID-19. Download the app at the App Store or Google Play.

    Learn more about how you can help slow the spread with SlowCOVIDNC.

    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.

We’ve now lost more than 5,000 North Carolinians to COVID-19. Each death represents a parent, child, friend and neighbor whose families and communities are in mourning. This cruel virus doesn’t care if we’re tired of it — we need to recommit our efforts to stopping its spread.

— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) November 21, 2020

Participating in the Governor’s School Supply Drive has never been so easy! This year, helping students and teachers get the supplies they need only takes a few clicks.https://t.co/p0Elpk4MrU pic.twitter.com/C47PYRCyCT

— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) November 19, 2020