CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CHARLOTTE, N.C. — At WCNC Charlotte, we are focusing our coronavirus coverage on facts, not fear. We aim to give our viewers the information they need from officials to best protect themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Facts:
- Cases in North Carolina: 2,402 with 24 deaths
- Cases in South Carolina: 1,917, with 40 deaths
- Cases in Mecklenburg County: 650, with 4 deaths
- New research suggests COVID-19 may spread easier than once thought
- How to file for unemployment benefits in the Carolinas
The number of U.S. deaths from COVID-19 were more than 7,100 at 4:45 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, according to numbers from Johns Hopkins University. More than a quarter of those are in New York City.
The worldwide total of confirmed COVID-19 cases is just over 1.1 million with almost 59,000 deaths and 226,000 recoveries.
Pageland, SC police chief diagnosed with COVID-19
Pageland, South Carolina’s Police Chief Craig Greenlee was diagnosed with COVID-19. When he noticed symptoms, he self-quarantined on March 27.
Officers and town employees who have come in contact with him have been told to self-quarantine, pending evaluation by SC DHEC.
Chesterfield County Sheriff James Dixon will be providing deputies to help with Pageland Police Department operations.
"Pageland will weather this storm and I ask the public to shower the Chief and our community as a whole with its well wishes and blessings for a speedy recovery," Pageland Mayor Jason Evans said.
President Trump says RNC still on track to happen in Charlotte this August
President Donald Trump told reporters that the Republican National Convention in Charlotte looks to be in "great shape" despite the coronavirus.
“We have no contingency plan. We’re having the convention at the end of August, and we think by the end of August we’re going to be in great shape. It’s going to be in North Carolina, Charlotte, and I think we’re going to have a great convention.”
CMPD issues citations, makes arrests after mass gathering
Eight people were arrested by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on Saturday for violating the Stay at Home Order through a mass gathering. The eight people arrested were part of a group of around 50 protesters outside a Charlotte abortion clinic.
CMPD says even after being issued a citation for violating the mass gathering guidance of the Stay at Home order, eight people refused to leave.
SC DHEC announces 217 new cases, 6 additional deaths
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 217 new cases of COVID-19, including six additional deaths. It brings the total number of confirmed cases in SC to 1,917, and those who have died to 40.
These additional deaths occurred in six individuals who were elderly and also had underlying health conditions. Two were residents of Lexington County, and the other individuals were residents of Beaufort, Georgetown, Richland, and York counties.
As of April 3, there are 5,807 hospital beds available in South Carolina -- 6,362 are utilized.
Caldwell County identifies 6 new COVID-19 cases
Caldwell County says there are now 11 positive cases of coronavirus. Eight of the cases are in zip code 28645, while the other three are in 28638.
Burke County announces first COVID-19 death
Health officials in Burke County have announced the first coronavirus-related death in the county. The patient was a woman in her late 70s who had been hospitalized with the virus. She had underlying health conditions, according to the county.
Burke County officials announced five additional cases of coronavirus, bringing the county total to 18.
Catawba County reports two new cases of COVID-19
Public health officials in Catawba County say two more residents have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the county's total to 22. There have been 339 negative tests in the county and one death.
NC DHHS updates confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state
As of 11:55 a.m. EDT, there are now 2,402 cases of coronavirus in North Carolina, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The state reports 24 people have died and 271 are hospitalized. North Carolina labs have completed 38,773 tests for COVID-19.
North Carolina screens prison workers statewide for COVID-19
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety announced they are screening all workers at prisons statewide to prevent the spread of coronavirus. These screenings include temperature checks at every facility.
As a result, entry to any prison will be denied to anyone with a temperature of 100 degrees or more, who is experiencing respiratory symptoms of cough or shortness of breath, or fatigue and muscle aches indicative of a viral infection, or who has been exposed in the past 14 days to anyone who is suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19.
Walmart regulating how many customers can enter stores
Starting Saturday (April 4), Walmart will limit the number of customers who can be in a store at once. Stores will now allow no more than five customers for every 1,000 square feet at a given time, roughly 20% of a store’s capacity.