All in Coronavirus
A third case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Lenoir County. The Lenoir County Health Department received notification of the lab-confirmed case on Thursday, March 26. This case was related to travel and at this time there is still no indication of community spread in Lenoir County. As of today, the Lenoir County Health Department is monitoring 34 individuals across the County.
Greene County Department of Public Health has received Greene County’s first lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases. The three individuals were tested on March 23 and confirmation of positive results were received by the Health Department on Thursday, March 26. The individuals are doing well and are isolated at home.
On Wednesday afternoon UNC Lenoir Health Care’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Claire Paris and local physician Dr. Pradeep joined Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy for a Coronavirus Chat. Dr. Paris answered questions about the hospital, their staff, current supplies, testing and more. Dr. Pradeep gave an update on trends, best practices to keep you safe and took questions from the audience.
As of 10:15 a.m., March 26, 2020, NCDHHS has reported 636 confirmed cases (up from 184 on Saturday, March 21) and 1 death. Lenoir County has 2 confirmed cases. Greene and Jones Counties still have 0 reported cases.
A press conference was held in the Lenoir County Commissioner’s room with public health officials. Lenoir County Public Information Officer Bryan Hanks introduced Lenoir County Manager Michael James, Lenoir County Emergency Services Director Jerri King, and Lenoir County Health Director Pam Brown. The conference was called after the first COVID-19 case was reported in Lenoir County and before the second case was reported.
A second case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Lenoir County. The Lenoir County Health Department received notification of the lab-confirmed case on Wednesday, March 25. Similar to what occurred with the first lab-confirmed case on March 24, this resident also traveled out of area and this is not a result of community spread. The individual is recovering at home. To protect individual privacy, no further information will be shared.
“We will be issuing additional orders soon,” stated Governor Roy Cooper in a press conference this afternoon.
A person from Cabarrus County died on March 24 from complications associated with the virus. The patient was in their late seventies and had several underlying medical conditions.
As of 10:35 a.m., March 25, 2020, NCDHHS has reported 504 confirmed cases (up from 184 on Saturday, March 21) and 0 deaths. Lenoir County has 1 confirmed case. Greene and Jones Counties still have 0 reported cases.
Lenoir County Health Department announced its first positive COVID-19 case Tuesday. The same afternoon Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy was joined by Director Pamela Brown to discuss this development.
The Lenoir County Health Department has received notification of Lenoir County’s first lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 case. The individual was tested on March 17 and confirmation of a positive was received by Lenoir County Health Department on Tuesday, March 24.
As of 9:45 a.m., March 24, 2020, NCDHHS has reported 398 confirmed cases (up from 184 on Saturday, March 21) and 0 deaths. Lenoir, Greene and Jones Counties still have 0 reported cases.
Yesterday’s announcement prioritized social distancing by lowering the threshold on large gatherings to ban crowds of more than 50 people. To stay consistent with this number, it will require certain businesses to close, including:
Bingo Parlors, including Bingo sites operated by charitable organizations
Bowling Alleys
Indoor Exercise Facilities (e.g. gyms, yoga studios, martial arts facilities, indoor trampoline and rock-climbing facilities)
Health Clubs
Indoor Pools
Live Performance Venues
Movie Theaters
Skating Rinks
Spas
Sweepstakes Lounges
Video game arcades
Barber Shops
Beauty Salons (including waxing and hair removal centers)
Hair Salons
Nail Salons/Manicure/Pedicure Providers
Massage Parlors
Tattoo Parlors
Grocery stores and restaurants providing takeout and delivery will remain open.
Watch NC Senator Jim Perry join Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy for a Facebook Live Coronavirus Chat. They discussed unemployment benefits, small business assistance, the federal government’s financial response and what the State of NC is doing.
North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Commissioner Que Tucker released the following statement, “Having heard the updated information relative to schools remaining closed until the middle of May, NCHSAA interscholastic athletics will remain suspended until at least May 18.”
Due to the spread of coronavirus / COVID-19 in North Carolina, UNC Lenoir Health Care announced today, in an effort to prevent patient and staff exposure to the spreading coronavirus, it is no longer permitting visitors to the inpatient areas until further notice. In addition, the number of entrances at the hospital will be limited. Any visitors under 18 years old are still not allowed and visitors older than 65, pregnant or are immunocompromised are strongly encouraged to not visit.
In a press conference today, Governor Roy Cooper stated, “During the Great Depression, North Carolina’s leaders made sure that, because education was vital to our state’s future, all of our public schools stayed open in spite of tremendous funding challenges. Therefore, today I will sign an executive order that closes public K-12 schools across North Carolina for in-person instruction until May 15.”
BBQ Fest Committee Chair Waylon Adams announced the decision this afternoon. Adams said, “With the health and safety of our eastern North Carolina community top of our minds, combined with the guidelines of local, state and national health professionals, the BBQ Festival on the Neuse Board has decided to cancel the 2020 BBQ Festival on the Neuse due to the Coronavirus threat.”
Beginning Monday, Lenoir County Public Schools is expanding its no-cost feeding program to include delivery of meals by school bus to numerous locations throughout the county.
LCPS will also continue to operate its five locations where eligible youth can pick up meals. Those sites – at Kinston, North Lenoir and South Lenoir high schools, Southeast Elementary School and E.B. Frink Middle School – are open from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays. No dine-in service is allowed.
Dr. Pradeep and Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy held a Facebook Live Coronavirus Chat on Sunday, 3/22 at 4:00 pm. Dr. Pradeep gave a COVID-19 update and answered questions posted in the comments feed. Watch the interview in its entirety.
