Coronavirus Live Local Updates: 8th person in North Carolina tests positive for coronavirus

CHARLOTTE — The U.S. has more than 1,000 cases and businesses, education, sports and more are being impacted as leaders continue to move to stricter measures to contain the coronavirus.

N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency for North Carolina on Tuesday.

Important Links & Updates:

• National Live Updates
• CDC: Tracking Cases in the U.S. here
• NC Dept. of Health & Human Service
• WSOC Special Section: Tracking Coronavirus
• CMS, other Local School District Updates
• Local Universities and Colleges Updates
• WHO: Advice for the Public
• WHO: Q&A

Live local updates for Wednesday:

9:32 p.m.

The NBA announced it has suspended the entire season until further notice after one of the league’s players tested positive for coronavirus. Officials said a Utah Jazz player tested positive, but he was not at a scheduled Jazz game Wednesday night.

The Charlotte Hornets may have played their last game of the season last night in Miami and Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers has been postponed. It is not known how the team will handle possible refunds for people who had tickets to the remaining games.

The NBA had already delayed high fives and autographs prior to suspending the entire season.

9:05 p.m.

In a primetime speech from the Oval Office, President Donald Trump outlined his plans to combat the coronavirus.

It starts with a 30-day travel ban from Europe beginning at midnight Friday, but there are some exceptions. The United Kingdom is not included in the list of prohibited travel and the restrictions don’t apply to Americans or U.S. permanent residents, but those travelers would face mandatory quarantines if they do go.

The president also declared insurance providers will waive co-payments for coronavirus tests and those companies have also agreed to extend coverage to cover treatments.

He said he will take emergency action to provide financial relief for people who get sick, get quarantined or have to take care of anyone who has been infected. He’s also asking the Treasury Department to defer tax payments for people negatively impacted.

At a hearing Wednesday, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told lawmakers the outbreak will get worse.

“How much worse will depend on our ability to do two things -- to contain the influx of people who are infected, coming from the outside and the ability to contain and mitigate within our own country. Bottom line, it’s going to get worse,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said.

Because the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic, Trump is asking Congress to take legislative action to extend relief efforts as well.

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8:08 p.m.

The ACC will alter the remainder of the ACC Tournament beginning Thursday.

All games will be played with only essential tournament personnel, limited school administrators and student-athlete guests, broadcast television and credentialed media members present.

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7:52 p.m.

Another person in Wake County tested positive for the coronavirus bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to eight.

The tests are presumptive and need to be confirmed by the CDC.

The person is doing well and is isolated at home.

The case is related to a traveler from Indiana who visited Biogen in Raleigh this week.

Businesses already feeling impact of pandemic Experts agree there will be a big blow to the economic market in Charlotte, which has already been felt in the Queen City because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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7:20 p.m.

Brighthouse Financial’s Charlotte employees are being asked to work from home indefinitely because an employee is being tested for COVID-19.

A spokesperson says the move is being made out of an abundance of caution.

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5:40 p.m.

Central Piedmont Community College is banning most non-essential, college-affiliated travel until further notice.

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5:30 p.m.

Charlotte Observer employees were informed last night of a possible indirect exposure to COVID-19 in the newsroom. Potentially exposed employees and vulnerable employees now have to work from home the next 14 days. All employees worked from home today.

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5:10 p.m.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is investigating a possible case of the novel coronavirus in Lancaster County.

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5 p.m.

The University of North Carolina system schools, including UNCC and Appalachian State University, will transition from in-person instruction to an alternative-course delivery.

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4:45 p.m.

NCAA President Mark Emmert said only essential staff, and limited family attendance will be allowed at athletic championships, including basketball tournaments.

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4:30 p.m.

Stocks plunged again Wednesday as concerns over the coronavirus grew deeper, ending the 11-year bull market.

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2:10 p.m.

Atrium Health announced Wednesday that it is expanding its visitor restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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Coronavirus outbreak: What you need to know Coronavirus outbreak: What you need to know

1 p.m.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Operations Center was activated in preparation for coronavirus planning.

It supports Mecklenburg County Public Health and other health partners in planning for potential effects of the virus in Mecklenburg County.

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mecklenburg County.

The EOC allows response partners to coordinate more effectively and to establish protocols and pre-stage resources should they become necessary.

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