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: 8,830 with 299 deaths
- Cases in South Carolina: 5,490 with 174 deaths
- Cases in Mecklenburg County: 1,471 with 40 deaths
- How to file for unemployment benefits in the Carolina
There were over 939,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 53,000 deaths in the U.S. and over 200,000 deaths worldwide.
Worldwide, there have been over 2.9 million confirmed cases.
Graduation task force created to help CMS students
A task force has been created to advise on alternative graduation ideas for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students. The task force will meet virtually and is made up of high school seniors, parents, high school principals, teachers, and central office staff.
"We must be creative and intentional, but we will find a way," Elyse Dashew, CMS Board of Education member at large said on Facebook.
Anyone with ideas or input for the task force to submit it here, or emailing ideas to Task Force co-chair Damon Willis at damon1.willis@cms.k12.nc.us if the link doesn't work.
Brooks' Sandwich House reopening
Popular NoDa restaurant Brooks' Sandwich House announced Sunday they would be reopening, with a few changes in store due to COVID-19 cautions.
The restaurant closed a little over a month ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic like many other businesses. They had just reopened their doors around two months prior, though, following the death of co-owner Scott Brooks.
"We can’t wait to get back to work and on a normal routine," an Instagram post from the restaurant said, in part. "This has been a very tough time for us and everyone else!"
No new deaths from COVID-19 in Mecklenburg County Sunday
Mecklenburg County officials announced Sunday that there were no new coronavirus-related deaths reported in the county. It's the second consecutive day without coronavirus-related deaths in Mecklenburg County.
Currently, 1,471 county residents have tested positive for the virus and 40 have died. It's up 16 confirmed cases from Saturday.
South Carolina reports 237 new cases of COVID-19
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced 237 new cases of COVID-19 and 8 additional deaths as reported to DHEC. It brings the total number of confirmed cases in SC to 5,490 and those who have died to 174.
The deaths occurred in six elderly individuals from Clarendon (2), Darlington (1), Greenville (2), and Richland (1) counties, and two middle-aged individuals from Colleton (1) and Greenville (1) counties.
Here's a county-by-county breakdown of the 237 new cases:
Abbeville (3), Anderson (7), Bamberg (1), Barnwell (1), Beaufort (2), Berkeley (1), Charleston (10), Clarendon (8), Darlington (1), Dillon (6), Dorchester (1), Edgefield (1), Fairfield (4), Florence (24), Greenville (43), Greenwood (1), Horry (2), Jasper (2), Kershaw (3), Lancaster (3), Laurens (7), Lexington (12), Marion (3), Marlboro (2), Newberry (1), Oconee (2), Orangeburg (1), Pickens (5), Richland (50), Saluda (7), Spartanburg (7), Sumter (1), Williamsburg (11), York (4)
North Carolina reports nearly 300 new COVID-19 cases
NC Department of Health and Human Services announced 288 additional coronavirus cases confirmed in North Carolina overnight. The new data showed an additional 10 deaths to bring the total to 299.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster PPE delivery
Gov. Henry McMaster and representatives from Prisma Health and Boeing, along with members of South Carolina's federal delegation were at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer. A Boeing aircraft delivered shipments of 1.3 million surgical masks and PPE from China.
Gov. McMaster said the partnership came together between several business leaders and political leaders. Neil Ferrier of South Carolina-based business Discommon let the state know about five weeks that he had contacts that might be able to get a supply of masks from China. Eventually, that led to an elaborate process that eventually led to bringing in Boeing, which allowed its cargo jet to be leased by freighter company Atlas Air to take the masks from China to South Carolina.
"Our state comes together in ways that are remarkable and refreshing," said U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, one of several leading South Carolina politicians who were there to watch the shipment come in.
The governor said the donation will help keep medical workers safe, a key component of the plan to get the state reopened at some point in the near future.
Two staff members at Rowan County rehabilitation center test positive for COVID-19
Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Rowan County confirmed two staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
The employees were sent home immediately.
Officials at the rehabilitation center say COVID-19 tests were also administered to all residents — test results are still pending. Liberty Commons says all staff and residents, or the family members of residents, have been notified of the positive tests.
A public health communicable disease nurse and an environmental health specialist conducted a site visit, and reported the facility is following guidelines and recommendations.