All in Coronavirus
On March 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed a $2 trillion stimulus package after Congress passed it on Friday. Governor Roy Cooper has also ordered people in the state of North Carolina to stay at home for thirty days to slow the spread of COVID-19. Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 takes effect on Monday, March 30 at 5 pm and reduces any gatherings to 10 people. (Link to IRS Coronavirus page is included.)
I had an epiphany the other night… you know one of those thoughts that cross your mind after you’ve eaten one too many Double-Stuffed Oreos at 1:00 a.m. because you couldn’t fall asleep and were watching The Mentalist before you turned off the lights. I realized I could no longer say that I have never experienced the fearful grip of a pandemic, the subsequent stay at home order issued by a governor, and the absolute panic of going to four different stores at 7:00 a.m. and seeing no toilet paper on the shelves.
As of 10:55 a.m., March 28, 2020, NCDHHS has reported 935 confirmed cases (up from 184 on Saturday, March 21) and 4 deaths. Lenoir County has 3 confirmed cases. Greene County has 3 confirmed cases. Jones County has 0 confirmed cases.
47% of COVID-19 cases in NC are ages 25-49 and account for 1 death. 15% are 65+ and account for 3 deaths. Current COVID-19 Hospitalizations in NC: 87
Governor Roy Cooper stated in a press conference, “To continue our aggressive battle to slow the spread of COVID-19, today I have signed a Stay At Home order for the entire state of North Carolina. Enforcement begins at 5 p.m. Monday. It is what we have to do to save lives. It has the force of law. This order directs you to stay home unless you need to leave for essentials, such as your job, food, medicine, outdoor exercise, or to help others. It bans gatherings of more than 10 people and directs everyone to stay at least six feet away from each other.”
According to multiple sources, at 4:00 p.m. Governor Cooper will hold a press conference where he is expected to issue a 30 day “stay at home” order. This order will go into effect on Monday at 5:00 p.m. This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Neuse News for information. Text NN to 484848 for Breaking News Alerts.
As of 11:40 a.m., March 27, 2020, NCDHHS has reported 763 confirmed cases (up from 184 on Saturday, March 21) and 3 deaths. Lenoir County has 3 confirmed cases. Greene County has 3 confirmed cases. Jones County has 0 confirmed cases.
47% of COVID-19 cases in NC are ages 25-49 and account for 1 death.
Current COVID-19 Hospitalizations in NC: 77
Alicia Davis has transformed a little room off the kitchen into her teacher space. It’s equipped with a small white board on an easel, a green screen she uses to produce video lessons and, on the dining room table, the laptop that is her indispensable link to the 47 students in her science and math classes.
While Executive Order 120 DOES NOT APPLY to the following businesses, social distancing and mass gathering provisions apply:
The Lenoir County Health Department shared Emory University's COVID 19 symptom checker with Neuse News this afternoon. This system is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of disease or other conditions, including COVID-19 and is based on best clinical practices, CDC guidelines, illness severity and risk factors like age and pre-existing conditions.
The City Council of Kinston provides information and updates to all residents regarding COVID-19 including recent executive orders, the state of emergency in Kinston, the continuation of public services, continued police and fire protection, and contact information for additional resources surrounding COVID-19.
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.
