New NC Order Could Loosen Event Spectator Restrictions: Cooper

NORTH CAROLINA — As the number of coronavirus cases continues to decline in North Carolina, state public health officials are considering increasing the number of fans and spectators allowed at events, including high school sports, Gov. Roy Cooper said Thursday.

The news comes as more schools return to in-person learning. As of Thursday, students in about 79 percent of school districts in the state had returned to classrooms, with nearly all schools expected to return in the next month, he said.

"I understand parents wanting to see their students at ball games," Cooper said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

"We're feeling more positive about the situation," he said. "We do understand people wanting to be a part of these events and so that's something that health experts are working on, they're looking at the data, they're talking to people in other states and the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], and hopefully we will see some changes in that area when we make the announcement on the new executive order next week."

The current modified stay-at-home executive order is set to expire Sunday, Feb. 28.

The state reported 3,916 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, and 1,892 hospitalizations. The rate of positivity in the state was 6.2 percent, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

"We are encouraged to see our COVID-19 numbers declining and remaining stable," Cooper said. "For the first time since late November, the number of people hospitalized in North Carolina due to the virus has dropped under 2,000."

State practitioners are also making progress in ramping up vaccination efforts in marginalized communities, Cooper said Thursday.

"Last week, 23 percent of our allotted first doses were administered to Black North Carolinians," compared to 13 percent five weeks ago, he said.

SEE ALSO: NC Ups Efforts To Reach Marginalized Communities In Vaccine Push

Earlier this month, Cooper said state health officials are making a conscious effort to track data, include vaccine providers in communities of color in every county and telling vaccine providers that the state expects them to concentrate distribution efforts on underserved communities.

As of Feb. 18, at least 91 out of 115 school districts had returned to in-person learning, Cooper said, adding that by mid-March, 95 percent of the state's school districts will have done so. "This will serve 96 percent of the state's students," he said.

Cooper took aim at the recently passed Senate Bill 37 in the General Assembly that would force school districts to offer in-person instruction. While most school districts in the state are offering in-person learning, many extended remote learning following recent holidays, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Earlier this month, Cooper urged school districts to return to in-person learning, but said that ultimately the decision is up to local school boards.

SEE ALSO: NC Schools Should Return To In-Person Learning: Gov. Cooper

"I've communicated with legislative leaders that I can sign legislation requiring all school districts to return to the classroom if it requires compliance with DHHS health safety guidance for schools and protects the ability of state and local leaders to respond to emergencies," Cooper said. "The bill that legislators just passed fails on both of these fronts."