Coronavirus in the Carolinas: South Carolina hits over 500 positive cases of COVID-19

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Here is a roundup of what’s happening so far today, June 6, surrounding COVID-19 in both North Carolina and South Carolina (Click here for yesterday’s coverage). Scroll below for live, local real-time minute-by-minute updates.

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The number of cases across North Carolina reached 34,625 Saturday. North Carolina is now reporting 992 deaths, 497,350 completed tests and 708 people currently in the hospital.
A Durham second-grader has died after her fight with COVID-19.
Chesterfield County’s sheriff and chief deputy have test positive for COVID-19.
NC legislators aiming to reopen gyms, health clubs despite Cooper order.
Cooper’s COVID-19 order directs efforts to fix NC racial disparity.
Multiple coronavirus cases reported at Tyson food plant in Claremont.
North Carolina legislature seeks to defer road tests for young drivers.
Gov. Roy Cooper and the state’s coronavirus task force announced the state moved into a “safer-at-home” plan on May 22.
Gov. Henry McMaster lifted the home or work order in South Carolina on May 1.

Live, local updates from Saturday:

NC 211 handles 50,000 calls during COVID-19 response

At 12:34 a.m. on Wednesday May 27, a 211 Call Specialist handled call number 50,000.

According to a NC211 statement, “From western North Carolina, the caller was seeking help finding a COVID testing site and did not know where to turn. The NC 211 call specialist was able to provide the caller with information on where they could find testing site information and the number for a local health care provider to contact the next morning.”

NC 211 offers information and connects local resources to individuals needing help paying a utility bill, finding food to make it through the month, or needing support in caring for an aging parent.

211 Call Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply dial 211 or go to the NC211 Public Search website.

South Carolina reports 512 new cases

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced 512 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and 7 additional deaths.

This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 13,916 and those who have died to 545.

3 new COVID-19 cases reported in Caldwell County

Three COVID-19 cases were reported today in Caldwell County — all in 28630 Zip code. One of the cases falls into the 0-24 age range while the other two fall into the 25-64.

State and federal resources continue to come available for families and children.

North Carolina sees new single-day record 1,370 new COVID-19 cases

NCDHHS has released its updated data on COVID-19 for the state:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday reported the highest daily increase in cases, with 1,370 new cases. The previous highest one-day increase was 1,289 set just the day before. This is the second day in a row that the state has broken its record for a single-day case increase.

However, the state reported one of the highest daily totals of tests with 15,203 in the past 24 hours. That’s well over the state’s goal of 5,000 to 7,000 per day. The overall percent positive is around 10%.

The additional 1,370 new COVID-19 cases bring the state’s total to 34,625, while the 15,203 completed tests bring the total number of completed tests in the state to 497,350.

There have been 26 new deaths attributed to COVID-19 since Friday, bringing the state’s total to 992.

The state reported 708 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19, down from 717 on Friday.

Mecklenburg County continues to lead the state in both cases and deaths with at least 5,358 and 106 respectively.

Confirmed cases by age:

0-17 (7%)

18-24 (10%)

25-49 (45%)

50-64 (21%)

65-74 (8%)

75 or older (8%)

COVID-19 deaths by age:

25-49 (4%)

50-64 (13%)

65-74 (20%)

75 or older (63%)

Cases by race:

White: 54%

Black: 28%

Cases by gender:

Women: 51%

Men: 49%

(Men account for 53% of deaths)

Cases and deaths in congregate living settings:

There have been 98 outbreaks in nursing homes across the state, resulting in 3,567 cases and 523 deaths.

There have been 51 outbreaks at residential care facilities across the state, resulting in 914 cases and 75 deaths.

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Burke County Reports Eighteenth Death

Burke County Public Health was notified last night of the eighteenth COVID-19 related death in Burke County. The individual was in their 70’s and died from complications associated with their underlying medical condition. To protect the family’s privacy, no further information about the patients will be released. “We express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this individual”, said Burke County Health Director Rebecca McLeod. "This infection continues to spread within our community and has the potential to cause fatal results to anyone infected with this infection.”

Burke County is currently at 537 positive cases. The cases consist of traveling, congregate living, and community spread. All positive cases are isolated and Public Health staff continues to investigate the cases and will be locating those close contacts to help contain the spread of the infection.

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Veto showdown expected in NC legislature

Governor Cooper’s veto of House Bill 536 is expected to create a battle in the legislature. The bill has bi-partisan support in the Senate, but very little support from House Democrats. There is no word on if it has enough support to override the governor’s veto.

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NC Gov. vetoes bill that would allow bars to partially reopen (Friday)

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper had vetoed a bill that would allow bars to partially reopen and allow more restaurant capacity outside.

The state Senate and House voted last week to let bars serve customer outside, despite Cooper’s executive order.

Statement released from Gov. Cooper on House Bill 536:

“State and local government leaders must be able to act quickly during the COVID-19 emergency to prevent a surge in cases that could overwhelm hospitals and harm the public. House Bill 536 would limit the ability of leaders to respond quickly to COVID-19 and hamper the health and safety of every North Carolinian.”