Governor Roy Cooper Reduces Indoor Gathering Limit To 10 As COVID Rises In NC, Phase 3 Extended

RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) – In a media briefing Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper announced that indoor gatherings would be subject to further restrictions as cases of COVID-19 continued to climb statewide.

Although Phase 2.5 allowed groups of 25 people to congregate indoors, Cooper has announced that he will tighten those restrictions to 10 people as the holidays approach.

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“Science shows that this virus’s transition is much larger indoors, and the more people gathered the easier this virus can spread,” Cooper said at the press conference.

According to a report on COVID-19 clusters in North Carolina updated Monday afternoon, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services learned of the existence of 29 COVID-19 clusters from social gatherings, resulting in 279 cases and two deaths. Health officials have repeatedly said that the current rise in COVID-19 cases is due to gatherings among people who do not live in the same household.

The mass assembly limit, however, does not apply to religious services, as stated in the Phase 2 expansion. Monday’s report noted that 100 COVID-19 groups have been linked to religious gatherings, leading to 1,393 cases and 21 deaths. However, the report adds that cases associated with religious gatherings declined last week to their lowest level since August. Those who attend religious services are always encouraged to remain socially distant and wear a face mask at all times during services.

Cooper’s announcement also extends Phase 3 until December 4. No other aspect of the current phase will change – outdoor gathering limits will remain at 50, bars and cinemas will be allowed to remain open, and all businesses will be subject to capacity limits.

The announcement comes as North Carolina’s COVID-19 settings continue to worsen. According to the NCDHHS, the seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases is at an all time high – far exceeding the July peak in COVID-19 cases. The percentage of positive tests rose to 7.5% on Sunday – much higher than the state’s benchmark of 5% or less, where the metric was hovering for September.

WATCH: Dr Mandy Cohen discusses COVID-19 trends in North Carolina

“As frustrating and painful as it is, we have to keep fighting a bit longer. We don’t want to let the last eight months of sacrifice go to waste by relinquishing our custody or ignoring security measures, ”Cooper said. “We have gone too far to lose our focus now.”

More than 1,100 people with COVID-19 have stayed in hospitals in North Carolina in the past 30 days. While hospitals are not overwhelmed, NCDHHS secretary Dr Mandy Cohen said some rural hospitals are running out of space.

“Thanksgiving is two weeks away,” Governor Cooper said. “North Carolinians are focused on how to celebrate this pandemic. There will be the usual concerns about who is carving the turkey and whether we are going to talk about politics. But we need everyone to focus on how to stay safe.

While many North Carolinians plan gatherings with family and friends for Thanksgiving, health officials have urged sticking to the 3Ws to prevent an even larger rise in COVID-19 after the holiday season.

“Even if this means changes in long-standing holiday traditions for many of us, take comfort in the fact that there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Cooper said. “With our continued dedication, by Thanksgiving or before, this pandemic may be behind us.”

During the press conference, Governor Cooper also announced that full-service restaurants seeking help during the pandemic can apply to the North Carolina Department of Commerce for up to $ 20,000 in under the Mortgage, Utilities and Rent Relief (MURR) program.

These businesses can charge up to four months rent or mortgage interest capped at $ 20,000 per location for up to two locations.

“This pandemic will end. A vaccine is in the final stages of development and the FDA has cleared a promising new treatment. Hope is on the horizon,” Governor Cooper added. “This pandemic will not last forever.”