NC Coronavirus Update December 1: Governor Roy Cooper to Speak After North Carolina Reaches New Record for COVID 19 Hospitalizations

RALEIGH – Here are the latest updates on COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in North Carolina.

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TUESDAY MORNING STORY LINES

Governor Roy Cooper will give an important update on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic today at 3 p.m. The update comes after Monday’s report from the Carolina Department of Health and Human Services North which showed more than 1,966 patients are in COVID-19 hospitals – the highest total ever reported

That number includes 96% of the reporting hospitals, meaning there are likely a few more COVID-19 patients not included in the count.

Monday’s COVID-19 metrics also showed an increase in the percentage of tests returning positive. The daily rate of 9.5% came after a week that averaged around 7.4%, and is well above the state’s target of 5%.

You can watch Governor Cooper’s briefing on abc11.com and the ABC11 Facebook page.

Wake County opens a new COVID-19 testing site on Tuesday. The site is located at 5809 Depart Drive in Raleigh, near downtown Triangle. Tests are available Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this week. You do not need to register to receive a test.

The Charlotte Hornets will not allow fans to attend home games to start the 2020-2021 season due to the pandemic. The team said on Monday they made the decision after consulting with local and state government officials. He will continue to work on a plan that will allow fans to return safely to the Spectrum Center later this season.

The Wake Forest men’s basketball program is suspending team activities for the remainder of the week and will not play in Troy on Wednesday due to recent COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.

MONDAY

5:10 p.m.
Wayne County Public Schools have reported a COVID-19 cluster at Meadow Lane Elementary involving three staff and two students. None of the cases have been on campus since November 23.

“The school reported two cases on November 24. Today we learned of three more cases. Based on the contract tracing, we believe these cases can be reasonably linked, ”said Dr James Merrill, WCPS Director.

5:05 p.m.
Wake County health officials have announced an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Oliver House Assisted Living Center, located at 4230 Wendell Boulevard in Wendell.

MORE: Wake County to Offer Additional Free COVID 19 Testing Site After Thanksgiving Holiday

5 p.m.
Hobbton High School in Sampson County is closing for two days to clean up after five reported cases of COVID-19 among employees.

4:15 p.m.
Lee County reports 123 more cases of COVID-19 and its 31st death. A total of 2,504 residents have tested positive for the virus in the county.

12:20
COVID-19 hospitalizations in North Carolina hit a new high in Monday’s report from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, as the percentage of people testing positive rose again.

There are now 1,996 people in hospital due to COVID-19 with 96% of hospitals reporting. The number of hospitalizations has risen by more than 100 from the number reported on Sunday.

The state also recorded one of its highest positive percentages since the start of the pandemic, when the number of tests carried out was much lower.

Monday’s positive percentage rate was 9.5%. The number has averaged around 7.4% for about a week. State health experts have said they want that number to be less than 5%.

The state also reported 2,734 new cases and 21 additional deaths included in Monday’s figures.

Full data can be found on the NCDHHS COVID-19 dashboard.

10:45 a.m.
As temperatures drop, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will issue automated payments to help seniors and people with disabilities keep the heat in.

The state’s low-income energy assistance program will help eligible households pay their utility bills. The program begins Tuesday, December 1 and is available to those who:

• are 60 years of age or older or a person with a disability receiving services from the Seniors and Adults Services Division
• Anyone who is currently receiving food and nutrition services and
• Anyone who received the LIEAP during the 2019-2020 season

“More of our neighbors may be facing financial hardship from COVID-19, and this funding can help eligible households meet their heating costs this winter,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, MD. “We want to make sure older people and people with disabilities are healthy and safe during a difficult time of year. “

You must register for the program to receive payments. You can find information on how to apply here.

10 hours
A Raleigh bar has been cited for having too many people inside after a Sunday night shooting. Police found the Rose Bar Sports Bar & Lounge exceeded the state’s maximum occupancy rule during COVID-19 after responding.

Three people were injured.

MONDAY MORNING STORY LINES

Wake County is simplifying the process to get a free COVID-19 test. You no longer need to complete a detailed registration form before taking a test. Starting Tuesday, to take a test in Wake County, all you need to do is book an appointment online and bring ID to the test site.

Wake County is also opening a new COVID-19 testing site on Tuesday. The site is located at 5809 Departures Road in Raleigh. Tests are available Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this week. You do not need to register to receive a test.

Tests are also still available at the Sunnybrook car park at 2925 Holston Ln. in Raleigh.

United Airlines has started shipping the first batches of the COVID-19 vaccine on charter flights. The United States now has more than 13,300,000 cases of COVID-19, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

SUNDAY

11:45 a.m.
North Carolina health officials are reporting 3,820 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 361,778.
With 95% of hospitals reporting, North Carolina hit a new record for COVID-19-related hospitalizations with 1885. That’s 45 more than Saturday.

There have been 21 more deaths from COVID-19 in the state, bringing the total to 5,240.

The state’s percent positive test rate rose to 8.6%, from 7.8% on Friday.

Fauci: Expect Similar COVID Travel Restrictions, Christmas Vacation Advisories

7:30
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, there have been 13,247,386 cases of COVID-19 in the United States since the start of the pandemic.