Buncombe Stay Home Order Extended Indefinitely
(Buncombe County, NC) -- Buncombe County's "stay home, stay safe" order is in effect indefinitely. County leaders extended the order yesterday, which was originally supposed to end this morning. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer says the city is also joining in on the order. Restrictions will remain pretty close to what they have been, but rules are being relaxed on some businesses. Real estate, auto sales and landscaping businesses are now considered essential. Residents are encouraged to wear cloth masks when they go out.
Shooting Of Toddler Called Accidental
(Spindale, NC) -- The shooting of a toddler in Rutherford County is considered accidental. An 18-month-old was flown to Mission Hospital from the town of Spindale after being shot in the head on Tuesday night. Investigators say it appears a family friend thought he emptied ammo out of the gun, and accidentally fired it. The child's injuries were considered to be life-threatening, but officers had no further update yesterday.
Around 175 Coronavirus Cases In WNC
(Raleigh, NC) -- There's around 175 cases of coronavirus in western North Carolina. The News and Observer reports they're part of more than 35-hundred cases statewide, with 63 deaths. Most cases in the mountain region are centered in Buncombe, Henderson and Rutherford counties. People have tested positive for COVID-19 in 92 of the state's 100 counties.
Harrah's Cherokee Center To Shelter Homeless
(Asheville, NC) -- Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville is being used as a homeless shelter as the spread of COVID-19 still remains a concern. The executive director for the non-profit Homeward Bound told the Citizen-Times the center started taking in people yesterday, and will use mattresses in two hallways outside the event space. There's room for about 50 men, women and children. All are medically screened before entering.
State Issues More Guidelines For Nursing Homes
(Raleigh, NC) -- The state is putting more guidelines in place for nursing homes and care facilities due to coronavirus outbreaks. Public health officials reported 60 cases of coronavirus at an Orange County nursing home yesterday. Cherry Springs Village in Henderson County has reported more than 20 cases. Governor Roy Cooper is requiring all staff to wear masks when dealing with residents. Common areas will also be blocked off.
WCU Using 3D Printers To Make Face Shields
(Cullowhee, NC) -- Western Carolina University is joining in the effort to make protective gear for healthcare workers. WLOS-TV reports the school's engineering college has been working around the clock to make face shields with 3-D printers. They can make about 100 a week right now.
Stay Home Order Extended In Meck
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- Mecklenburg County is extending the stay-at-home order until the end of the month, which mirrors the state's measures. Health director Gibbie Harris said Wednesday there are indications that the curve of coronavirus cases appears to be flattening, but still urges social distancing. Governor Roy Cooper indicated this week he is considering extending North Carolina's stay-at-home order as well, while also encouraging essential retail businesses to bear down on social distancing.
Novant Health Chosen For COVID-19 Clinical Trial
(Charlotte, NC) -- Novant Health is one of just a few systems in the U.S. to take part in a clinical trial connected to COVID-19. Doctors are testing a drug called LeronLimab [[ lih-RONE lih-MOB ]], which has historically been used to treat HIV and some cancers. A hematologist with Novant told WBTV it's been shown to work better with people who have mild to moderate coronavirus symptoms. Only 75 people in the U.S. will take part in the clinical trial.
Mecklenburg County Reporting Ten Coronavirus Deaths
(Mecklenburg County, NC) -- The number of deaths from COVID-19 is at ten in Mecklenburg County. The News and Observer reported last night the county has nearly 850 of the state's 35-hundred cases. Governor Roy Cooper issued stricter orders for nursing and senior care homes yesterday after identifying more than 20 hotspots in North Carolina. A nursing facility in Orange County has 60 confirmed cases.
Three Die In Apparent Double Murder-Suicide
(York County, SC) -- York County deputies are investigating an apparent double murder-suicide. They found three people shot at a home in the Lesslie community near Rock Hill yesterday morning. A woman and juvenile were dead at the scene, while a third person died at the hospital. Investigators haven't said who they believe fired the shots.
Teen Intentionally Coughs On Officers While Under Quarantine Order
(Rock Hill, SC) -- A teen who's supposed to be in quarantine is accused of intentionally coughing on officers in Rock Hill. It happened when police went to break up a fight at Lige Street Park on Monday night. WSOC-TV reports the 17-year-old girl claimed on social media that she did it on purpose. She was charged with a breach of peace. The two officers are now monitoring under their own self-quarantine.
Harris Teeter Allowing Half-Capacity For Social Distancing
(Matthews, NC) -- Harris Teeter is cutting down on the number of shoppers in its stores to encourage social distancing. The Matthews-based grocery company announced it would allow around half of its normal capacity, effective yesterday. Shoppers are still being asked to maintain a space of at least six-feet between others. Harris Teeter previously designated the first two hours of shopping on Mondays and Thursdays for seniors only.
Outbreak At Nursing Home Prompts New Mandatory Protection Equipment Requirement
(Orange County, NC) -- State health officials have ordered all workers at nursing home and long term care facilities throughout the state to immediately start wearing masks and other Personal Protection Equipment. This after some 60-residents and staff at a single long term care facility in Orange County, tested positive for COVID-19. Two of the residents have since died. Governor Roy Cooper is also calling on the facility's owners to quarantine its sick patients to a separate section away from the healthy ones.
Feds Release Medical Equipment From U.S. Stockpile
(Raleigh, NC) -- Much needed supplies are being sent to North Carolina from the National Stockpile. According to FEMA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the state will get 243-thousand N-95 respirators, 580-thousand surgical masks, 114-thousand face shields, 93-thousand surgical gowns and 425-thousand gloves. North Carolina will not receive any ventilators.
COVID-19 Cases Surge To Over 35-Hundred Wednesday
(Raleigh, NC) -- The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus topped 35-hundred in North Carolina Wednesday, with 63-deaths reported. The State Department of Health and Human Services said that by the end of the day, COVID-19 cases had been detected in 90-of North Carolina's 100-counties.
Prison Advocacy Groups File Suit Against State Over Coronavirus Concerns
(Raleigh, NC) -- An emergency class action lawsuit was filed Wednesday on behalf of Mississippi prison inmates, after 15-were recently confirmed to have the coronavirus. The suit, filed with the Mississippi Supreme Court by several civil rights groups, requested the early release of inmates who are elderly and suffer with underlying chronic illnesses in an effort to avoid spreading the disease to other prisoners and staff. COVID-19 cases have already been reported at state prison facilities in Granville, Halifax and Johnston Counties. The suit further argues that overcrowding, a lack of social distancing and inadequate health care has created an environment for the rapid spread of the deadly illness.
North Carolina Company Now Testing For Coronavirus Antibodies
(Raleigh, NC) -- A Research Triangle Park based company has launched a new antibody test to determine if a person has been infected with the coronavirus. Cellex says the test has already received FDA approval and can tell whether a healthy person has already had the disease. Results can be returned in about 20-minutes. At present, the test is only available for health care workers and research laboratories.
First Responders Now Limiting The Types Of Calls They Will Go On
(Durham County, NC) -- Both the City of Durham and Durham County have announced changes to the way its first responders go on calls. Effective immediately, firefighters will now only respond to the most critical emergencies, like heart attacks and motor vehicle accidents. Paramedics will continue to respond to all emergencies. Emergency Services Director Jim Groves said the changes were implemented in order to reduce the possibility of first responders being exposed to the coronavirus.
Greensboro Officer Tests Positive For COVID-19
(Greensboro, NC) - A Greensboro police officer is recovering from coronavirus. The officer who tested positive is currently in quarantine and is doing well, according to department officials. They say all spaces and equipment the officer may have come in contact with have been decontaminated.
UPDATE: Teen Stabs Three Children, Women
(Greensboro, NC) - We're learning more information about the domestic assault case involving a Greensboro teenager. Officers say 18-year-old Jose Flores-Martinez stabbed a woman and three children at a home on Wildwood Drive on Tuesday afternoon. They say Martinez used a kitchen knife to stab the women and three girls, and then repeatedly kicked an eight-year-old boy in the groin. He was arrested a short time later on multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder. All of the victims were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Asheboro Man Arrested After Burglary In Progress
(Randolph Co., NC) - An Asheboro man is under arrest after he was held at gunpoint by the person he's accused of stealing from. The victim tells Randolph County sheriff's officials he caught Alfred Spivey breaking into his vehicle early yesterday morning and held him at gunpoint until deputies arrived. The suspect was taken into custody and searched. Deputies say they found a driver's license, social security card, multiple credit cards and papers with various identities on them, as well as ammunition and electronics.
Winston-Salem Transit Authority Makes Changes To Bus Services
(Winston-Salem, NC) - The Winston-Salem Transit Authority is making several temporary changes in response to COVID-19. They include changing all bus routes to a Saturday service schedule, limiting the amount of passengers on each bus to 15, and asking passengers to exit out of the back instead of the front. The changes take effect on Wednesday, April 15th.