Governor Cooper: Further action to protect our state will be necessary

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Governor Roy Cooper: “As of this morning, we have 504 cases of the new Coronavirus COVID-19 in 53 counties in NC. We have completed more than 12,000 tests and have almost 15,000 pending. In the last few weeks, I’ve taken significant statewide actions to slow the spread. We closed schools, banned social gatherings, closed numerous businesses that can increase the spread of the virus, limited nursing home visits and encouraged people to stay home.

“Today is a stark reminder that we must take this disease seriously. All of us. This virus can be deadly, and that’s why our daily lives have had to change so dramatically. Earlier today we shared that North Carolina has counted our first deaths Covid-19 deaths. It’s with a heavy heart I must tell you these will not be our last.

“These actions were difficult, but necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. We know that further action to protect our state will be necessary. There are also important steps we can take right now to prevent a spike in cases that could overwhelm our medical system.

“Stay at home when you can. Practice social distancing wherever you are. If you are a business, and haven’t done so yet, get your social distancing and telework plans in place now. Do not wait. You owe it to your employees. I want to again thank our health care workers who are showing us what courage means. You do your jobs every day, even in the face of a pandemic, to keep us healthy. And save our lives. Our state is grateful for you.

“Today we join together as a state to keep those who are mourning in our prayers. Let’s also commit to doing our part to slow the spread of this deadly virus. In doing so, we honor their lives while we protect our communities.”

NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen: “If you feel sick and have mild symptoms, stay home and call your doctor. Your individual actions will help us slow the spread of this virus. As the Governor said, this is a sad reminder about why we have been aggressive in our social distancing measures. Unfortunately, we will likely see more deaths in North Carolina before this pandemic runs its course.

“I know this is really hard. We need to be vigilant to save lives. I ask that my fellow North Carolinians hear our request to maximize your social distancing. Our mandates are the minimum and hope you are going beyond them to protect our communities. If you can telework, please telework.

“If you feel sick and have mild symptoms, stay home and call your doctor. Your individual actions will help us slow the spread of this virus. I also wanted to share some positive developments in our fight against #COVID19. We’ve made numerous policy changes for Medicaid providers to really ramp up access to telemedicine which allow patients to access the care they need.

“We’ve launched a hotline in partnership with NC Child Care Resource and Referral network to provide child care options for children of critical workers who do not have access to typical care because of #COVID19 closures. In just four days, they’ve already connected more than 450 families to child care.

“We are also getting food to children. Our public school districts – many working with community partners such as food banks and faith-based entities – have served 2.4 million meals and 32,000 snacks since March 15. Our pharmacy and medical boards worked quickly to protect medication resources.

“No doubt there are a lot of challenges – our new reality of social distancing is. I know we will get through this. I already see us pulling together. I see teachers finding ways to creatively engage their students. I see people grocery shopping for their high-risk neighbors who are rightly staying at home. I see hundreds of health care professionals answering our call for volunteers.

“Even as we physically distance ourselves, it’s how we come together that will see us through this. And help is there if you need it. Many behavioral clinicians in NC are ready to take new patients and provide care over the phone or by video. More information is available on our COVID-19 website under ‘Managing your overall health.’ Stay well.”