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Updates from Gov. Cooper's COVID-19 briefing: https://twitter.com/NC_Governor/status/1336399015445979137
As of today, we’ve had 404,032 cases; 4,670 new cases reported since yesterday; 2,373 people in the hospital, a new record high; and, sadly, 5,605 people who have died. We continue to mourn with those who’ve lost loved ones. I know this can be especially hard during the holidays.
As cases across the country continue to rise, we've seen rapid increases in our key metrics here in NC. Our case counts have broken single-day records on three separate days in just the last week, and the percent of tests returning positive has increased to more than 10%.
A month ago, we were deeply concerned to see daily case counts go above 3,000. Now, we’re shocked that the number has doubled, with some daily counts at more than 6,000.
I know that news of effective and safe vaccines has given us all hope, but vaccines aren’t here yet. We have to act now to save lives, safeguard our hospital capacity and preserve our economy.
Our trends are alarming. More than 80% of our counties are in the orange and red categories. The virus is upon us with a rapid viciousness we haven’t seen before. Even though we’re all frustrated and weary of the fight, it’s more important than ever to take this virus seriously.
So, today, I am announcing new action to slow the spread. Effective Friday, December 11th, North Carolina will enter into a modified Stay at Home order.
This order will require people to stay at home between the hours of 10 PM and 5 AM. It means just what it says: people are to stay at home between those hours.
Businesses, including restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, most retail stores and more, will be required to close by 10 PM. In addition, all onsite alcohol consumption sales must end by 9pm.
We already have strong safety protocols and capacity limitations in place – including a statewide mask mandate. With this additional action beginning Friday, we hope to get these numbers down. This Order aims to limit gatherings and get people home where they're safer.
The modified Stay at Home Order is also a reminder that we must be vigilant the rest of the day – wearing a face mask when we are with people we don’t live with, keeping a safe distance from others and washing our hands a lot.
We’ll do more if our trends don’t improve. That could mean additional actions involving indoor restaurant dining, entertainment facilities or retail capacity. None of us want that. All these small businesses need more federal help. Congress and the President need to do that now.
However, our top priority is — and must be — saving lives, and keeping our health care system from being overwhelmed. For some people, saving lives is more than just an idea, it’s their life’s work.
I want to take a moment to thank our frontline health workers – the doctors, nurses, specialists, aides, technicians, custodians and more – who are making tremendous sacrifices right now to treat our growing number of COVID patients.
Despite excruciating physical and emotional stress, health care professionals keep going into work to care for those who need it. Let’s all show that we really care for these heroes by doing our part, so we can reduce their burden.
When this pandemic came to NC in March, I know many people didn’t expect to be living this way in December. This year has been tiring and frustrating and painful. With the holidays here, many of us feel it more deeply. But the stakes are dire. This is a matter of life and death.
We have lost more than 280,000 Americans in this pandemic. And while promising vaccines are so close, they can’t help us yet. Only all of us working together can do that.
Wear a mask, even with people you know and trust. It helps protect your loved ones and you. Make your gatherings smaller, move it outside, or better yet, move it online. Stay home when you can, and, under today’s order, be sure you do so by 10 PM.
North Carolinians are strong and resilient. And more than that, we look out for each other, especially when tough times demand it. Dig deep and keep tapping into that spirit to keep each other safe. If we do that, I know we’ll get through this and be stronger on the other side.
