NC Gov. Roy Cooper discourages gatherings of more than 100 people as coronavirus response
Gov. Roy Cooper is advising against gatherings of more than 100 people in North Carolina, as the state sees more cases of coronavirus. Such gatherings include conferences, assemblies, sporting events, concerts and worship services, he said.
Cooper also recommended that employers allow people to work from home.
The measures, effective Friday, are voluntary. But Cooper said if officials see people aren’t abiding by the guidance, they have the ability to change it to an order.
“We urge everyone to comply with these steps to protect the public health above all else,” Cooper said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
“Although North Carolina has not seen as much widespread infection as some other states, I want to provide stronger statewide guidance now. Health experts believe that it will protect the health and safety of North Carolinians and help prevent further spread of the virus. I strongly urge all North Carolinians to follow it and take it seriously.”
As of Thursday evening, North Carolina had at least 16 cases of COVID-19 — the disease caused by the novel coronavirus — up from nine reported through Wednesday. The new cases were reported in Wake, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Forsyth and Johnston counties. A Durham County resident who tested positive and is now outside North Carolina is being counted among North Carolina’s cases.
Cooper said the recommendations are aimed at lessening long-term effects on “our economy as well as our health.”
Pre-emptive school closure not recommended
The Cooper administration isn’t recommending pre-emptive school closures for now, Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen said.
She cited several reasons. Children congregate in other places when they’re not in school, and they could end up at home with grandparents who are high-risk, she said. And many children rely on free and reduced breakfast or lunch at school.
“Those are all significant things that contribute to children’s health, and we want to make sure we’re thinking about that,” Cohen said.
Cohen did, however, recommend that schools and child-care centers cancel or reduce large gatherings and events.
Many universities have shifted classes to online-only, though dorms and dining halls are remaining open for now.
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State of emergency
The NCAA tournament, winter and spring NCAA championship games, and remaining games of the ACC Tournament are all canceled, and the NHL announced that it would pause its regular season amid concerns of spreading coronavirus.
“The price of overreacting is a lot less than, if it’s termed, under-reacting,” said U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy, a urologist who represents much of Eastern North Carolina. “The price of everyone staying home for a few weeks is a lot less than if the price to be paid in the US is what Italy is paying now.”
Italy has locked down the country, closing nearly every business amid an outbreak that has killed more than 1,000 people. Murphy called for canceling events with large crowds, such as the ACC men’s basketball tournament, before most.
Cooper declared a state of emergency earlier this week.
The declaration lifted restrictions on how much truckers can drive each day, speeding up the delivery of supplies around North Carolina and also put state officials on higher alert for reports of price gouging, similar to in the wake of natural disasters, according to previous News & Observer reporting.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 4:12 PM with the headline "NC Gov. Roy Cooper discourages gatherings of more than 100 people as coronavirus response."
