N.C. cases climb; additional social distancing requirements announced

N.C. cases climb; additional social distancing requirements announced
by Annette Weston and Sydney Basden

Thursday, April 9th 2020

http://wcti12.com/news/state-news/cases-up-by-225-12-additional-deaths-in-north-carolina

RALEIGH, Wake County — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says 225 additional cases of coronavirus cases have been confirmed, with a total of 3,651, and 12 additional deaths.

Officials say 65 people have now died in the state since the outbreak began.


There are currently 398 people hospitalized with the virus, which is present in 91 of the state's 100 counties.

So far, 47,809 tests have been completed.

Governor Roy Cooper and members of the COVID-19 Task Force will hold a media briefing at 4 p.m. today. Watch here:

Cooper says he will sign a new executive order to further attempt the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Executive Order No. 131 [PDF] can be read in full HERE and will include:

New social distancing requirements for retail stores,
Mandatory protective measures for nursing homes,
Additional measures to process unemployment claims faster.
Effective Monday at 5 p.m., the executive order states that stores may not have more than 20% of their stated fire capacity or either 5 people for every 1,000 square feet inside at one time.

"This should make shopping safer for everyone and help prevent stores from becoming flashpoints for virus transmission," Cooper explains.
Stores must also mark 6 feet of distance at places where people tend to gather, like checkout lines, and frequent cleanings and disinfections are required. Also, stores are encourages to make hand sanitizer accessible, set shopping times for seniors and at-risk people, use shields at check out, and mark aisles as one-way to limit traffic.

"I know a number of stores have already taken steps like these," Cooper says, "and I thank them."
The second part of the order includes mandatory protective measures for nursing homes that had previously been recommended as guidance. The order will prevent dining and group activities in common spaces and require face masks for employees.

"We are focusing efforts on these congregant care institutions since the nature of the virus makes them easy targets for outbreaks," Cooper says.
According to Cooper, the order also requires these nursing homes to screen employees and residents for symptoms of sickness. Officials encourage other long-term facilities to follow this guidance as well.

Lastly, the executive order requires additional measures that will help unemployment claims be processed faster. Cooper says the order will make it easier for employers to file a batch of claims on behalf of their employees, known as an "attached claim."

"By temporarily eliminating some hurdles for employers," Cooper explains, "we hope to get benefits in the hands of those who need them faster."
Since March 16, officials say the Division of Employment Security has accepted more than 497,000 unemployment claims and sent out $40.3 million.

Officials have also received updated guidance from the federal government on how to disburse the supplemental $600 a week benefit; they expect those payments to begin by the end of next week.

More at the link...

http://wcti12.com/news/state-news/cases-up-by-225-12-additional-deaths-in-north-carolina

Stay safe everyone.
❤ lmsp