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Coronavirus in the Carolinas: Rally attendee in uptown tests positive for COVID-19

By WSOCTV.com News Staff
By WSOCTV.com News Staff

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Here is a roundup of what’s happening so far today, June 15, surrounding COVID-19 in both North Carolina and South Carolina (Click here to get caught up on yesterday’s coverage). Scroll below for live, local real-time minute-by-minute updates.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

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[COUNTY-BY-COUNTY COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE]

[CORONAVIRUS IN THE CAROLINAS; HERE’S HOW TO STAY INFORMED]

>> We’ll bring you LIVE updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News. Get extended coverage on the free WSOC Now app on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

Live, local updates from Monday:

Rally attendee in uptown tests positive for COVID-19

Someone who attended a rally June 5 organized by a group of black attorneys in uptown has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the John S. Leary Bar.

Everyone who participated in the rally is encouraged to get tested for the virus.

Dozens of people attended the event to call for changes at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the criminal justice system in the Queen City.

An organizer said the day when the officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck is symbolic of ongoing systemic racism.

“This whole history of this country has been about the knee of the necks of black people ever since,” attorney James Ferguson said.

Statement from John S. Leary Bar:

“The John S. Leary Bar was informed today that someone who attended our Rally on June 5, 2020 tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, we sought guidance from the Mecklenburg County Health Department regarding this issue.

"According to the recommendations from the Mecklenburg County Health Department, anyone who has attended a mass gathering, including protests are recommended to take the test for COVID-19. Additionally, it is also recommended that if you believe you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should self-quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure. In our particular instance, if you want to be cautious, you should self-quarantine until June 19, 2020.

"These are recommendations and not requirements. For further information and guidance, you may contact the Mecklenburg County Health Department at (980) 314-9400.”

Nearly 600 new cases reported in South Carolina

DHEC today announced 582 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and 2 additional deaths. This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 19,378 and those who have died to 602.

Read more here.

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NC leaders discussing face-covering requirement

During Monday afternoon’s news conference, Gov. Roy Cooper said he would make an announcement early next week about whether the state will move into a new phase of reopening on Friday, June 26 -- five weeks since Phase 2 began.

Cooper has not yet said whether the next step will be a full Phase 3 or a modified Phase 2.5, lifting some restrictions currently in place.

Cooper cited the current metrics, which he and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen both said are moving in the wrong direction, but added, “Let’s press to make sure we can flatten that curve.”

Cooper also said he and other state leaders are actively discussing whether cloth face coverings should be mandatory in public across the state. Some counties, like Durham County and Orange County, already have similar restrictions in place. Face coverings are currently required for employees at personal care salons -- like hair salons and barbershops -- but customers are not required to wear face coverings.

Read more here.

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Novant Health updates hours of operation for COVID-19 respiratory and screening assessment centers

Beginning Tuesday, June 16, hours of operation for Novant Health’s respiratory and screening assessment centers in North Carolina will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The East Charlotte location at 5501 Executive Center Drive in Charlotte will operate from 8 a.m. to noon.

Respiratory assessment centers (RAC) are designed to test and treat patients, who are experiencing moderate to severe respiratory symptoms associated with the coronavirus.

Screening centers, which include mobile locations, evaluate patients with symptoms and will test patients, as clinically necessary. While appointments are not required, we recommend anyone experiencing symptoms first contact their primary care provider to get advice on whether they should be further evaluated. Patients seeking advice who do not have an established care provider are encouraged to use the online coronavirus assessment tool at NovantHealth.org/coronavirus or call the helpline 1-877-9NOVANT. As a reminder, visiting a screening center unnecessarily will only further risk of exposure and put a strain on resources for those who need it most.

Novant Health currently has respiratory and screening assessment centers at the following locations:

Greater Charlotte area

  • East Charlotte – 5501 Executive Center Drive, Charlotte
  • Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinic – 3149 Freedom Drive, Charlotte (RAC)
  • Huntersville – 16525 Holly Crest Lane Suite 120, Huntersville
  • Matthews – 3330 Siskey Pkwy, Matthews

Rowan County area

  • Salisbury – 1904 Jake Alexander Blvd. Suite 301, Salisbury

For more information about Novant Health’s response to COVID-19, please visit NovantHealth.org/coronavirus.

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Nearly 1,000 more COVID-19 cases reported in the past 24 hours across NC

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Monday reported nearly 1,000 new cases of coronavirus.

983 new cases were reported on Monday. The largest increase in one day was on Friday when 1,768 new cases were reported in one day, and the state reported more than 1,000 new cases on both Saturday and Sunday.

The state also reported 11,349 completed tests in the last 24 hours, exceeding the state’s goal of 5,000 to 7,000 per day.

The number of people hospitalized due to complications of coronavirus remained nearly the same, with 797 people now hospitalized.

Nine more people died in the past 24 hours, bringing the statewide total to 1,118.

Over the last day, NCDHHS has reported that a little more than 8% of the completed tests have come back positive. Last week, Dr. Mandy Cohen said that the percentage of positive tests in North Carolina is among the highest in the U.S.

With 73% of hospitals reporting, 22% of ICU beds are available and 27% of inpatient beds are available.

Lab-confirmed cases: 45,102

Completed tests: 638,479

Currently hospitalized: 797

Statewide deaths: 1,118

Mecklenburg County continues to lead the state in both cases and deaths with at least 7,321 and 124 respectively.

Confirmed cases by age:

0-17 (9%)

18-24 (11%)

25-49 (45%)

50-64 (20%)

65-74 (7%)

75 or older (7%)

COVID-19 deaths by age:

25-49 (4%)

50-64 (13%)

65-74 (20%)

75 or older (62%)

Cases by race:

White: 54%

Black: 26%

Cases by gender:

Women: 50%

Men: 50%

(Men account for 53% of deaths)

Cases and deaths in congregate living settings:

There are 102 outbreaks in nursing homes across the state, resulting in 3,961 cases and 589 deaths.

There are 59 outbreaks at residential care facilities across the state, resulting in 1,088 cases and 93 deaths.

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NCDHHS Announces $26 Million to Help Mitigate the Economic Disruption of COVID-19, Including Assistance for Families Facing Eviction

Today, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced that the state’s Community Action Agencies (CAAs) have begun to receive flexible funds that can be used to help low-income individuals and families meet a variety of needs caused by the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds are part of the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and can, among other allowable uses, help eligible residents facing eviction with unmet rent and utility expenses.

“With the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor’s moratorium on evictions and utility shutoffs is the only thing keeping many families in safe and stable housing,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “This flexible funding will allow our Community Action Agencies to continue to meet a wide array of needs in our communities, including helping families remain in their homes when the moratorium is lifted.”

Community Action Agencies are nonprofit organizations created by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. To be eligible for CSBG-funded services, individuals and families must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

“Community Action Agencies have helped bridge gaps for low wealth residents and communities for 55 years,” said Sharon Goodson, Executive Director of the NC Community Action Association. “They provide comprehensive services like case management, transportation, housing, employment, education, child care, eviction and emergency assistance programs to ensure low wealth residents increase and maintain their economic stability.”

To apply for help, contact your local Community Action Agency. For additional information on the CSBG funding or contact information

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Cabarrus County sees triple-digit COVID-19 increase in one week

Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA), Cabarrus County’s public health authority, reports a triple-digit case count increase, as 184 new COVID-19 positive cases were identified between June 5 and June 15. As testing is more readily available, and criteria expands to ensure those who need to be tested can access testing, percent of positive cases becomes an important data point for health officials to monitor.

June 15, 2020 Cabarrus County case count:

  • 740 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cabarrus County
  • Of the 740 confirmed cases:
  • 231 are active
  • 483 are recovered
  • 26 have resulted in death
  • As of June 6, more than 7,800 COVID-19 tests have been administered in Cabarrus County since March 16.
  • During the week of May 31 – June 6, 9.9% of tests done returned positive. This is a data point that has been increasing in the past several weeks.

“Over the last two weeks, we have seen a dramatic drop in the average age of death due to COVID-19 related illness, from 83 years old to 39,” said CHA Health Director Dr. Bonnie Coyle. “Deaths among younger populations, along with our rapidly growing case count are extremely concerning as we approach the tentative start of Phase 3 Reopening and the July 4th holiday.”

Active cases in long term care facilities has dramatically decreased. As of June 13, 11 of the active 202 cases in Cabarrus County are related to a long term care facility. At one point in this pandemic, a majority of cases were related to a facility. This shift illustrates the spread in the community.

As the state reopens and residents return to work, CHA urges the community to continue practicing the 3 W’s – Wear a mask or cloth face covering; Wait six feet apart; and Wash hands often or use hand sanitizer – to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Health officials are monitoring different data sets closely, to ensure local leaders and the public are aware of their increased risk of exposure. “Each of us play an important role in flattening the curve and protecting ourselves, as well as those around us,” said Coyle.

If you have symptoms of fever (100.4 or higher), cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell, it is recommended you seek testing. Those who work in high risk jobs where social distancing is hard to achieve are also encouraged to be tested even if not symptomatic. Anyone who has been a part of large gatherings should be tested. Please call your primary care provider for testing. If you do not have a primary care provider, you can call the CHA Health Information Line at 704-920-1213. CHA provide COVID testing every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by appointment.

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Atrium to allow more visitors at hospitals, doctor’s offices

Starting Monday, Atrium Health will allow more visitors at hospitals and doctor’s offices.

Hospital patients can have one visitor. They have to wear a mask and get their temperature checked. Visiting hours for guests will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Patients at doctor’s offices can also have one visitor for support.

There are exceptions for high-risk patients, including people with coronavirus symptoms.

You can also have someone with you at Novant Health facilities. They eased restrictions last week.

There’s also no limit for visiting hours for people in critical care and surgery. At Novant clinics, one person can be with children or senior patients.

There are some exceptions so staff there say to call ahead of time.

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MONDAY MORNING STORYLINES

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will give an update Monday afternoon as coronavirus cases continue to rise. North Carolina saw more than 1,400 cases announced on Sunday with a 9% positive test rate. 798 people are in the hospital because of COVID-19.

Cooper will speak at 2 p.m. WSOC will carry the briefing on-air and online.

The state will also update the number of coronavirus recoveries on Monday. A week ago, the state reported 23,653 recoveries.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association is lifting its dead period for summer workouts for teams. Fall sports teams can have voluntary non-contact drills if their local school district approves. Schools in CMS won’t have drills until at least July 6.

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Officials in Caldwell County report new cases of the coronavirus (Sunday)

Caldwell County is reporting two additional COVID-19 cases.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 248.

Officials said of 5,041 people who have been tested in the county, 4.91% of tests have came back positive.

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SC health officials report more than 18,000 COVID-19 cases (Sunday)

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 799 new cases of the coronavirus and 1 additional death.

This brings the total number of confirmed positive cases in South Carolina to 18,795 and those who have died to 600.

South Carolina tested 5,875 people (not including antibody tests) statewide Saturday and the percent of tests that came back positive was 13.6%.

Officials said the death was a middle-aged person from Jasper County.

© 2020 Cox Media Group

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