CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Here is a roundup of what’s happening so far today, June 3, surrounding COVID-19 in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Scroll below for live, local real-time minute-by-minute updates.
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- The number of cases across North Carolina reached 29,889 Tuesday. North Carolina is now reporting 921 deaths, 434,921 completed tests and 716 people currently in the hospital.
- A Durham second-grader has died after her fight with COVID-19.
- App State subcontractors make up more than half of Watauga County COVID-19 cases.
- Mecklenburg County passes $1.9 billion budget amid COVID-19 revenue uncertainty.
- The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is set to reopen some pools, start outdoor classes.
- Bill earmarks $300M more COVID-19 funds for North Carolina government.
- South Carolina officials seek safe ways to draw visitors.
- 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 Wednesday:
7:30 p.m.
York City Council last evening voted to postpone two summer events until 2021. The decision to postpone the City’s Annual 4th of July celebration and Summerfest 2020 was based on state and federal guidelines that continue to discourage large public gatherings in order to limit the community spread of Covid-19.
“Staff, vendors, and sponsors have been planning and working for months to prepare for both of these amazing events,” said Mayor Mike Fuesser. “A community never wants to cancel long standing events that have become an annual tradition for residents and visitors, but we must confront the realities of public safety and the need to follow state and federal public health guidelines.”
During City Council’s meeting Tuesday night, members asked the City Manager to set aside funds that would have been spent on these events for next year.
“These events will be back in 2021 and bigger than ever,” said Mayor Fuesser.
Sponsors and vendors will be given the option to receive a full refund or hold their place for next year’s event.
5 p.m.
Today, a coalition of North Carolina fitness club operators, the Fitness Operators for Responsible Reopening (FORR), released the following statement on legislation introduced in the N.C. General Assembly to safely open gyms, health clubs and fitness centers (HB 594):
“We commend Senator Gunn for introducing this solutions-oriented legislation to safely reopen fitness centers for our 600,000 members and 5,000 employees in North Carolina. With the help of health experts and industry leaders, we have developed a robust, 14-step plan for responsibly reopening our facilities upon approval by the State. We are encouraged by this legislation, and continue to work with Governor Cooper, state health officials and members of the N.C. General Assembly to find a solution to get North Carolinians moving again. With the added stress of the pandemic, exercise is more important now than ever for the physical and mental well-being of our communities.”
4:30 p.m.
Today, SCDHEC announced 235 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and 17 additional deaths.
This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 12,651 and those who have died to 518.
12 p.m.
NCDHHS has released updated data on COVID-19 for the state:
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 888 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 30,777. The state also reported 14,342 more completed tests, exceeding its daily goal of 5,000 to 7,000 tests. This brings the total number of completed tests in the state to 449,263.
Percent positive is staying steady at 8%.
There have been 18 new deaths attributed to COVID-19 since Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 939.
The state reported 684 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19.
Mecklenburg County continues to lead the state in both cases and deaths with at least 4,670 and 96 respectively.
Confirmed cases by age:
0-17 (7%)
18-24 (10%)
25-49 (44%)
50-64 (22%)
65-74 (8%)
75 or older (9%)
COVID-19 deaths by age:
25-49 (5%)
50-64 (12%)
65-74 (20%)
75 or older (63%)
Cases by race:
White: 54%
Black: 29%
Cases by gender:
Women: 51%
Men: 49%
(Men account for 53% of deaths)
Cases and deaths in congregate living settings:
There have been 92 outbreaks in nursing homes across the state, resulting in 3,351 cases and 492 deaths.
There have been 45 outbreaks at residential care facilities across the state, resulting in 858 cases and 73 deaths.
11:40 a.m.
In response to an intensifying COVID-19 outbreak at the federal prison complex in Butner, NC, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of North Carolina, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and Winston & Strawn filed a class-action lawsuit today seeking the release of vulnerable populations held at the facility.
11:20 a.m.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, and in order to help everyone stay safe, the 2020 Detective Mike Doty Memorial Run sponsored by Piedmont Medical Center and the 809 Foundation, will be a completely virtual race. Because of inventory constraints, we will not be reopening registration to the public, but we will continue to fundraise online. The virtual race will be taking place from July 1st-18th.
Details and info on all of our sponsors can be found at: https://raceroster.com/events/2020/28145/detective-mike-doty-memorial-run-10k5kfun-run.
11 a.m.
Mecklenburg County, Carolina Small Business Relaunch COVID-19 Stabilization Funds for Small Businesses
Mecklenburg County relaunches the COVID-19 Stabilization Funds with $1 million for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF) will continue to serve as the primary capital provider for small businesses applying for this loan fund.
Back in April, Mecklenburg County announced the launch of the COVID-19 Stabilization Funds with $5 million in funds committed for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Mecklenburg County and CSBDF have received 370 applications and deployed up to $4 million in funds to small businesses. The application has now reopened due to $1 million still available for small businesses. The application will close as soon as funds are depleted.
CSBDF, a statewide nonprofit lender, serves as the primary capital provider for small businesses applying for this loan fund and collaborates with the County through all phases of the application and loan process. COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Stabilization Loan Fund The County initially committed $5,000,000 for this fund – currently has $1 million leftover and ready to deploy to small businesses who apply. Small businesses (up to 50 employees) located in Mecklenburg County can apply for loans of $10,000 - $35,000. Loans will be available with up to 10-year terms at an interest rate of 3%. Interest only payments for the first 12 months. Applicants must provide:
- One-page simplified loan application (online)
- Statement describing how the COVID-19 has adversely impacted the business
- Copy of driver license
- Copy of lease agreement or mortgage statement
- Tax returns (business) 2018 & P&L statement for 2019
- Tax returns (personal) 2018
- Year-to-date P&L statement including balance sheet
- One year of income and expense projection including cash flow
The application process is simple and quick, with disbursements available within 10 days of applying. Funds may be used to cover the day-to-day operating expenses of the business, such as payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, utilities or losses due to destabilizing events. No collateral is required, and businesses will not be charged any fees.
For additional details regarding program guidelines and loan terms or to apply, click here.
10:30 a.m.
North Carolina’s April County and Area Employment Figures Released
Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in April. Dare County had the highest unemployment rate at 24.5 percent, while Bertie County had the lowest at 6.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton had the highest rate at 17.6 percent and Durham-Chapel Hill and Greenville each had the lowest rate at 9.5 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 12.5 percent.
When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in all 100 counties. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases.
The number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in April by 676,373 to 4,090,238, while those unemployed increased by 372,497 to 585,304. Since April 2019, the number of workers employed statewide decreased 781,342, while those unemployed increased 406,392.
It is important to note that employment estimates are subject to large seasonal patterns; therefore, it is advisable to focus on over-the-year changes in the not seasonally adjusted estimates.
The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2020 when the state unemployment rate for May 2020 will be released.
7:30 p.m.
Atrium Health is setting up two mobile testing sites in the Charlotte area Wednesday.
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., you can get tested at Faith Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on Wellingford Street in northwest Charlotte.
Testing is also available at Forest Hill United Methodist Church on Kerr Street in Concord.
In addition, Mecklenburg County is about to kick off a $200,000 public safety campaign. It encourages you to wear face coverings or masks and social distance, among other preventative measures.
The Charlotte Business Journal reporters ad agency Wray Ward and Charlotte Center City Partners laid out their plans Tuesday night.
8 p.m. (Tuesday)
Given the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL on Tuesday informed teams that they will be restricted from traveling to alternate sites for training camp this summer.
For the Panthers, that means camp will be held at team headquarters in Charlotte instead of Wofford College in Spartanburg.
“We are aware of the league’s decision regarding training camp and support its goal of ensuring the safety of fans, players, coaches and staff,” said Steven Drummond, Panthers vice president of communications and external affairs. “We value our longstanding relationship with Wofford College and the Spartanburg area and look forward to returning in 2021.”
The Panthers have held training camp at Wofford since the team’s inaugural season in 1995 and had planned to return for 2020 — a 26th consecutive year. Further details for training camp will be announced at a later date.
5 p.m. (Tuesday)
The number of people being tested in Caldwell County continues to increase. Between Friday afternoon and Monday afternoon 331 tests were completed. On Tuesday, another 165 people were tested.
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