Gov. Cooper Expected To Lift Some COVID-19 Restrictions Tuesday

NORTH CAROLINA — After months of enduring coronavirus restrictions across the state, some North Carolina businesses may soon get a reprieve. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to announce an easing of restrictions Tuesday that could take place as soon as this week, according to reports.

"The Governor expects to share information about the next phase of easing restrictions tomorrow, which would take effect later this week," a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said, WSOC reported.

North Carolina current "Phase 2" restrictions, which initially went into effect May 22, have been extended and are currently set to expire Sept. 11. Under the current restrictions, retail and restaurant operations are allowed at 50 percent capacity; gatherings are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors; teleworking is encouraged.

Remaining closed, however, are playgrounds bars, nightclubs, theaters, bowling alleys, museums, gyms and fitness studios.

Some gyms in the state are already planning to reopen Sept. 1 by citing a loop hole in state restrictions that say gyms may be open for medical purposes, WTVD reported. Some Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness gyms in North Carolina say they intend to reopen Tuesday for members with a medical need to exercise, but also say they will not be seeking documentation.

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in North Carolina. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.

The number of known coronavirus cases in North Carolina rose by 1,186 cases Monday, increasing the state's tally of COVID-19 cases to 167,313, DHHS reported.

The state's virus death toll also jumped by 10 Monday, increasing the number of lives lost to COVID-19 in the state to 2,702. On a national level, coronavirus was responsible for more than 183,000 deaths in the U.S., Johns Hopkins University reported Monday afternoon.

As of Aug. 31, about 7.2 percent of tests in North Carolina were positive, according to DHHS data.

Hospitalizations rose slightly overnight in North Carolina. As of Monday, 923 patients were hospitalized with coronavirus-related illness in state hospitals, six more than reported Sunday.
An Aug. 31 survey of 84 percent of the state's hospitals reported that there were 5,950 empty staffed inpatient hospital beds and 648 empty staffed intensive care unit beds remaining in the state. Ventilators also remained in supply, according to the survey, with 2,352 remaining available, DHHS said.

SEE ALSO:

• 4 People Test Positive for COVID-19 During Charlotte RNC Event
• Mail-In Voting In North Carolina: Deadlines, How To Get A Ballot
  
• Vote-By-Mail Survey: NC Voters Nervous Ballots Won't Be Counted