North Carolina hospitalizations pass 3,000 for first time during pandemic

© CDC
COVID-19

Here you can find up-to-the-minute information on the coronavirus in the Piedmont Triad, North Carolina and the surrounding region.

© The Associated Press
The Davidson County Health Department announced it received an initial shipment of the Moderna vaccine.

Click the video player above for the latest information from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.

© Provided by WXII 12 Greensboro-Winston-Salem
NCDHHS reported a new hospitalization record of 3,001 patients being treated for the coronavirus Tuesday. There are 5,255 new cases, 3,001 patients currently hospitalized, 6,291 total deaths, and a daily percent positive rate of 11.1%.


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Live Updates:

12:30 p.m. Tuesday: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster tested positive for the coronavirus.

He was notified late Monday night, his office said. The First Lady tested positive last week during a routine test.

The governor is experiencing mild symptoms while Peggy McMaster is asymptomatic, the governor’s office said. The governor is continuing to work from his residence.

Governor McMaster will receive Monoclonal Antibody treatment today based on advice from his personal physician, the governor’s office said.

According to the South Carolina Department of Health physicians, there is no way to pinpoint precisely when or how they contracted the virus.

“Peggy and I urge everyone to be extra careful during the Christmas holiday season,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “This virus spreads very easily.”

Click the video player below for more information about the governor and his wife.

12:15 p.m. Tuesday: NCDHHS reported a new hospitalization record of 3,001 patients being treated for the coronavirus Tuesday.

With not all of the hospitals reporting in North Carolina, the Triad Healthcare Preparedness Coalition has the most patients in the state, NCDHHS said.

• Capital Region Healthcare Preparedness Coalition – 216
• Duke Healthcare Preparedness Coalition – 177
• Eastern Healthcare Preparedness Coalition – 354
• Mountain Area Healthcare Preparedness Coalition – 205
• Mid Carolina Regional Healthcare Preparedness Coalition – 343
• Metrolina Healthcare Preparedness Coalition – 752
• Southeastern Healthcare Preparedness Coalition – 78
• Triad Healthcare Preparedness Coalition – 876

12 p.m. Tuesday: WXII and Second Harvest have raised $38,476 so far in the “Share Your Holiday” virtual food drive.

Second Harvest Food Bank continues to need more donations in the wake of COVID-19’s impact in North Carolina. Each dollar you pledge stays right here to help Piedmont Triad families know one less need this time of year. Click here to read more.

To donate, click here.

10:40 a.m. Tuesday: Gov. Roy Cooper is giving an update on the coronavirus in North Carolina to discuss slowing the spread during Christmas at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Faith leaders will be at the briefing, according to NBC affiliate WRAL.

WXII 12 News will show it live on TV, Facebook and Twitter.

10:35 p.m. Tuesday: No-cost coronavirus testing is happening at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday.

5:35 p.m. Monday: Brenner Children’s Hospital is testing children and young adults up to the age of 22 from Monday through Friday. It is taking place outside the emergency department from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian with them.

People who have symptoms must see a healthcare provider, who will schedule a test. The testing site does not offer travel screening.

Those who do not have symptoms, but need a test to return to work, school or daycare can schedule an appointment at 336-702-8054.

4:45 p.m. Monday: Rep. Mark Walker tweeted that he was informed of a possible exposure to the coronavirus Monday and would not travel to Washington, D.C. to vote for the COVID-19 Relief Bill. Click here to read more.

4:20 p.m. Monday: Gov. Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order Monday authorizing the North Carolina ABC Commission to permit the delivery or carry-out of mixed drinks as an alternative to on-site consumption.

“This order will help people avoid settings that can contribute to increased viral spread while giving restaurants and bars a financial boost that they need right now,” said Governor Cooper. “With cases and hospitalizations high around the country, let’s all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 while supporting local, small businesses safely.”

The Modified Stay-At-Home Order will remain in place and the sale of alcoholic drinks will end at 9 p.m.

Click the video player below for more information about the new order.

12:30 p.m. Monday: The Davidson County Health Department announced it received an initial shipment of the Moderna vaccine.

This is the first shipment of vaccines to arrive in this county, the health department said. Those in the first eligible group have already been contacted.

“Although the arrival of an effective vaccine is a landmark in the COVID-19 pandemic, now is not the time to let our guard down,” the health department said in a press release. “The health department encourages that you continue to wear a face covering, keep at least 6 feet of distance from others, and wash your hands frequently, to continue to slow the spread of the virus as we work diligently to provide vaccination across Davidson County.”

12:20 p.m. Monday: The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference to discuss evictions and the coronavirus cases in the Forsyth County Detention Center.

When discussing evictions, Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough reminded people that once a judge rules, deputies cannot supersede the law regardless of personal feelings.

“Once that Writ is issued, it is way beyond my control, Kimbrough said. “I have no authority to supersede that. I have no authority to supersede what a judge has decreed. I don’t have that authority, so while I understand, not only do I have sympathy, I have empathy.”

Since September, more than 250 Writs of Possession have been received and the sheriff’s office served more than 200.

When discussing the Forsyth County Detention Center, Facility Director of Nursing B. Williams said mass testing of 568 inmates was done Tuesday and Wednesday.

All of the tests were returned Monday. Of the 568 tests returned, 68 tests were positive, which is a 12.0% positivity rate.

Click here to read more about the coronavirus in the detention center.

Click the video player below to watch the full press conference.

6:10 p.m. Sunday: Top congressional leaders announced an agreement on a COVID-19 relief package and government funding bill. For more information, click here.

3:15 p.m. Sunday: More than one million people were screened each day at airports on Friday and Saturday, according to TSA.

This is the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that more than one million people were screened on consecutive days, TSA said. The record for a single day stands at more than 1,176,000 people on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

The numbers are hinting at an early travel boom before the holidays, which is something the CDC warned against.

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10 a.m. Sunday: Guilford County coronavirus testing sites will change to winter holiday schedules:

• Greensboro: Piedmont Hall – 2409 West Gate City Boulevard
  • Closed: Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 28, Jan. 1
  • Modified Hours: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Dec. 31

• High Point: Guilford County Division of Public Health – 501 East Green Drive
  • Closed: Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 28, Jan. 1
  • Modified Hours: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Dec. 29, Dec. 30, Dec. 31

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