1,142 COVID-19 Hospitalizations, 16 New Deaths Reported In NC

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina's tally of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus rose by 1,782 in the span of a day, increasing the number of known cases in the state to 91,266, the Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday.

The state also reported a total of 1,568 coronavirus-related deaths, 16 more than reported Tuesday.

As of Wednesday, 1,142 patients were being treated in North Carolina hospitals for coronavirus-related illnesses, DHHS said. A survey of 89 percent of the state's hospitals indicated there were 4,615 empty inpatient hospital beds and 425 empty intensive care unit beds — about 19 percent — remaining in the state. Ventilator supplies remain plentiful, according to the survey, with about 2,436, or 72 percent, of the state's supply remaining available, DHHS said.

Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper announced a delay in going forward with the state's reopening plan. North Carolina will remain under the modified Phase 2 executive order, which was to expire July 17, for another three weeks, he said.

Cooper also addressed the long awaited question about how schools will resume next month, saying schools will reopen next month for in-person instruction with implemented safety protocols while also offering families the option for remote learning.

SEE ALSO: NC Schools To Reopen, Offer Choice For Online Learning: Cooper

Highlights of the school reopening plan include:

• Face coverings will be required for every teacher, staff, and student in grades kindergarten through high school
• The state will provide at least five reusable face coverings for every student, teacher and staff member
• Limitation on the number of people allowed in school buildings to ensure social distancing of 6 feet
• Conducting symptom screenings, including temperature checks, daily before students enter school buildings
• Establishing a process and space for those who are ill
• Regular cleaning on high-touch surfaces
• Frequent hand washing requirements throughout the school day
• Discontinuing activities that bring together large groups
• Limit nonessential visitors
• Discontinuing the use of self-service food or beverage distribution

Schools are also encouraged to designate one-way hallways and entrances, keep students and teachers in small groups, eat meals in classrooms and install physical barriers like plexiglass at reception areas.

Under the plan, school districts can also choose to implement all-remote learning, Cooper said.

Globally, nearly 14 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and more than 580,000 people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Wednesday. In the United States, nearly 3.5 million people have been infected and nearly 137,000 people have died from COVID-19.

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SEE ALSO:

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