N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper announced at his Wednesday briefing that North Carolina will “remain paused in Phase 3” for another three weeks.
Phase 3 began Oct. 2 and allowed additional openings at limited capacity for certain businesses, like bars, fitness facilities, personal care businesses, movie theaters and amusement parks. It also kept mass gatherings from Phase 2 limited to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors, and put an 11 p.m. curfew on in-person alcohol sales.
Phase 3 will continue in order to drive down North Carolina’s Covid-19 numbers, which have been on an uptick over the last week.
As of Oct. 21, the state has had 250,592 Covid-19 cases — 1,842 of which arose over the last 24 hours — and 4,032 deaths.
In New Hanover County, Covid-19 has impacted 5,116 people — the majority falling in the 25- to 49-year-old age bracket. There have been 37 deaths to date.
The governor requested North Carolinians refocus on the basics — the three Ws: wear a mask, wash your hands, wait 6 feet apart. He stated the hope is to get numbers down, much like the state did after a spike during the summer.
“I know it’s difficult and tiring to keep up our guard, especially when we’re gathered with people we love,” he said. “But it’s necessary.”
North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen continued to note the metrics guiding the decision to keep the state in Phase 3. Increased cases are of concern, she said, especially with moving into the cooler season wherein folks gather more indoors.
“Wear your mask anytime you are outside of your home,” she suggested to help keep numbers at bay.
Phase 3 was set to expire on Oct. 23. However, 36 counties received a letter from the state health department Tuesday, imploring them to follow guidelines under Phase 3 more stringently after seeing 300 or more spikes in cases over the last 14 days. New Hanover County was among the counties that received the letter.
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