The United States has more than 14,000 cases across all 50 states, and businesses, education, sports and more are being impacted as leaders continue to move to stricter measures to contain the coronavirus.
[CLICK HERE for Thursday’s live updates]
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared a State of Emergency. Following the statewide declaration, Mecklenburg County declared a state of emergency. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster also declared a State of Emergency.
[CLICK HERE for today’s national coronavirus live updates]
President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency, opening up more avenues to battle the outbreak. In addition, the federal government has slashed regulations around testing development in order to try and speed up testing.
The president has also signed a coronavirus relief package into law. That package includes free coronavirus testing for people who need it and paid emergency leave from work, among other things.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases in the United States here.
Important Links & Updates:
- CDC: Tracking Cases in the U.S. here
- NC Dept. of Health & Human Service
- WSOC Special Section: Tracking Coronavirus
- WHO: Advice for the Public
- WHO: Q&A
Live local updates from Friday:
6:15 a.m.
Winthrop University moves to remote instruction for rest of semester; postpones spring commencement
Message sent Thursday night from interim president George W. Hynd:
“Per Governor McMaster’s update earlier today, Winthrop University will extend our move to remote instruction for all courses for the remainder of this semester. In this way, all students will have the opportunity to complete their spring 2020 courses while maintaining safe and healthy precautions against COVID-19. Despite it being challenging, Winthrop’s strength is our family-like concern for each other and our tradition of delivering a student-centered experience.
“The move to remote instruction may create new and unexpected difficulties, but we will face them together. Our talented faculty and staff are working diligently to accommodate student needs and expectations. Faculty, staff, and students should continue to monitor email and our website for information regarding when residence halls will be open for retrieving belongings, access to technology while away from campus, decisions about student refunds and/or credits, and other important updates.
“We know our seniors and graduate students are faced with unprecedented events that are taking away from what should be a joyous time as they conclude their academic career at Winthrop. Because of that, we will postpone our spring commencement ceremonies. Although these circumstances are beyond our control, we can assure our students that their Winthrop experience will not end without recognizing and celebrating that they will be Winthrop graduates. At this time, we cannot say when or how commencement will happen, but we will rejoice in their accomplishments and honor our graduates in a way and time that is safe to do so.
“Thank you for your hard work, understanding, and continued patience as we move forward in these uncertain times.”
4:30 a.m.
Former South Carolina Governor David Beasley says he’s tested positive for coronavirus. Beasley posted a statement on Twitter, saying that he began feeling unwell after a trip to Canada. He said he chose to self-quarantine for the past five days.
3:15 a.m.
President Donald Trump says a “game-changing” drug that’s used to treat malaria will soon be used to treat coronavirus patients.
Drug-maker Bayer is donating $3 million tablets of a possible coronavirus drug to the U.S. government for potential use. It also is used to treat malaria and autoimmune diseases.
Bayer says the drug is not currently approved for use in the U.S. but it’s working with the FDA on an “emergency use authorization.”
2:30 a.m.
The State Department is now warning all Americans to not travel outside the country. If you have a loved one who is outside the U.S. for business or vacation, they need to return immediately.
2 a.m.
The number of cases in North Carolina now stands at 133 (Thursday morning that number was 73). Mecklenburg County accounts for 32 of those cases.
We also learned about a second case in Union County, and Rowan County confirmed its first case yesterday as well. That patient is a student at Livingstone College. The president of the college said the student is isolating at home, and that they are now preparing to shut down the campus starting Monday through April 14 to allow everyone to self-quarantine at home.
In South Carolina, cases have spiked to 81.
A new case was announced in Lancaster County, bringing the total there to three. There is also a case in York County.
1 a.m.
Forty million people living in California have been ordered to stay in their homes, with a few exceptions. Gov. Gavin Newsom called on a lockdown to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
12:30 a.m.
North Carolina coronavirus cases
Total: 133
County-by-county breakdown:
- Brunswick: 2
- Cabarrus: 1
- Chatham: 3
- Craven: 1
- Cumberland: 2
- Davidson: 1
- Durham: 35
- Forsyth: 3
- Gaston: 1
- Guilford: 2
- Harnett: 6
- Hoke: 1
- Iredell: 2
- Johnston: 2
- Lincoln: 1
- Mecklenburg: 32
- Moore: 1
- New Hanover: 1
- Onslow: 1
- Pasquotank: 1
- Rowan: 1
- Sampson: 1
- Union: 2
- Wake: 25
- Watauga: 2
- Wayne: 1
- Wilson: 2
South Carolina coronavirus cases
Total: 81
County-by-county breakdown:
- Abbeville: 1
- Anderson: 3
- Beaufort: 7
- Calhoun: 1
- Charleston: 4
- Dorchester: 1
- Fairfield: 1
- Greenville: 7
- Horry: 6
- Kershaw: 29
- Lancaster: 3
- Lee: 1
- Lexington: 5
- Richland: 8
- Saluda: 1
- Spartanburg: 1
- York: 1
Article Source: newsobserver.com