Raleigh, N.C. – Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday tightened statewide coronavirus restrictions as a growing number of North Carolina counties are considered hotspots for the spread of the virus.
Less than a week after the county alert system was lowered to show that the virus was spreading the fastest, the number of ca ties in the red zone has risen from 10 to 20. The number of oranges spread from 43 to 46.
State officials planned to update the map every four weeks, but Cooper said the changes were so dramatic in a week that officials could not wait another three weeks.
“We are in danger,” he said during a briefing on the epidemic. “We are at a critical juncture in this battle. Our actions can now determine the fate of many.”
COVID-19 County Warning System
In Central North Carolina, Venice, Alamans and Robeson counties entered the red zone, while Sampson County was able to improve from red to orange last week. Wilson and Hawk counties live in the red zone.
Coronavirus infections have risen sharply in recent weeks, with a record 4,514 recorded on Sunday. Although the number of new cases returned to 2,419 on Monday, Rowling remained at a seven-day record, up from 3,570 per day in the previous week.
There was also a record of hospital admissions on Monday, with 1,601 people being treated for the virus in hospitals across the state. To date, the epidemic has killed more than 5,000 North Carolinans, with five more dying Monday.
One metric trend in the right direction is the percentage of cornvirus tests that return positive. It was 6.6 percent on Saturday, the latest day for which numbers are available, the lowest level in two weeks. The percentage is moving downwards after hitting 9.4 percent on November 16th.
“It’s a demand for weapons from the people of North Carolina – we have to work together to stop the ship,” Cooper said.
Instead of re-imposing restrictions that have reduced sanctions in recent months, it has decided to close the shortcomings of the statewide mask decree imposed during the summer.
Now, masks should be worn indoors whenever one is not in the same family and outdoors when physical distance is not possible. Strict restrictions include wearing masks in private schools and gyms, even when people are working, as well as at airports and railway and bus stations.
Law enforcement may refer individuals or businesses for non-compliance with this order.
“We need counties to work with us to enforce safety regulations,” Cooper said. “We know we have the key to stopping the ship – enforcing security measures that already exist.”
Guilford County is a new red zone affiliate, and Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said her city is pressuring local businesses to impose mask fatwas, and keep them closed for three days for repeated violations. Is threatening.
Raleigh Mayor Marie-Ann Baldwin said city officials are planning to discuss how to handle Cooper’s new executive order.
“We’ve been putting out our fires for the last few weeks,” Baldwin said. We are actively monitoring businesses working with marshals and special programs staff, especially in bars and restaurants. ” “Our goal has been to remain voluntary. This order is more focused on retail, so we will focus on language and implementation.”
Durham Mayor Steve Schwell said the city’s attorney was working to bring businesses to his city to enforce masks, although police have been involved in the “horrific” violation.
“I think what the governor is doing is good and important and we will definitely implement the mask fatwa in Durham. It is mandatory,” Chevell said. “Fortunately, in Durham, we have a very high compliance rate.”
Both Wake and Durham counties are in the yellow zone, the lowest level in the state’s county alert system.
The latest executive order detailing the restrictions will take effect on December 11.
“The rules need to be enforced,” Cooper said. “We do not want to go back [and close businesses again], But we will do it if need be. “
