Governor Cooper’s statement at Monday’s press conference:

“Hi everybody, thank you for joining today’s media update on COVID-19 in North Carolina. As of today, North Carolina has 4,816 confirmed cases with 313 hospitalized. There has been another increase in deaths, and we now have 86 deaths.

“In addition, there was also a storm-related death this morning. Our prayers are with everyone fighting this virus and the weather, including loved ones who have been lost. To characterize those figures another way, we continue to see the spread of the virus accelerate through North Carolina but at a much slower pace because of people following my executive orders on social distancing.

“What we are doing is working. We are saving lives. Our biggest enemy is complacency. The better we can be at staying home through April, the more likely we are able to ease restrictions. We are all looking toward a time when we can loosen these restrictions, and it will come. We have a team examining how North Carolina can emerge with the right practices in place to keep us healthy and strong, and ready to jumpstart our economy.

“We are considering the most effective ways to modify executive orders to help boost the economy while continuing to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. Epidemiologists have been running models on North Carolina’s caseload and our hospitals’ ability to care for those who are sick. These models show consistently that our executive orders work and that wholesale lifting of the orders would be a catastrophe.

“So, we must continue to protect ourselves and our community as the spread accelerates. Today at 5 p.m., my executive order on retailers takes effect. This order will limit the number of shoppers at one time and keep them away from each other so that stores do not become flashpoints for spreading the virus.

“People need to be able to buy groceries, medicine and other essentials without fear and be confident they can protect themselves from the virus. Many retailers and grocery stores were already using social distancing rules and guidelines for their customers. I appreciate their efforts to make stores as safe as possible and expect that today’s new rules will help protect more people.

“As of today, over 561,000 North Carolinians have filed for unemployment insurance. Over $66 million in benefits have been sent to people who suddenly found themselves out of work in the blink of an eye. The Division of Employment Security is continuing to build capacity to take new claims and process checks as fast as possible. I know that every hour counts when you’re wondering how to pay rent or buy groceries.

“Today, Secretary Erik Hooks will share an update on his department’s work to keep our prisons and the public safe during this pandemic. I will recognize him in just a little bit to say more. Over the weekend, and after a virtual Easter church service with my family, I had a few moments for quiet reflection. It’s been over a month since North Carolina had our first confirmed positive case of COVID-19.

“Our state began preparing much earlier in the year. But it is still remarkable to consider everything that has happened in a little over a month. We’ve added to our own conversations phrases like ‘personal protective equipment,’ ‘social distancing,’ and ‘flatten the curve.’ We’re using video conferencing to hold everything from church services to birthday parties.

“Parents have become home schoolteachers. Schoolteachers have found even more creative and important ways to support their students. But most of all – we are staying at home to save lives. I know many days feel difficult in this new, temporary world in which we find ourselves. But please know, when you hit those bumpy spots, that what you are doing to stay home really matters.

“You probably never even thought about having the power to bend the curve of a global pandemic – but you do. As long as you stay home to stay safe. And to those who cannot stay home – our doctors, nurses, hospital staff, grocery workers, first responders, law enforcement, delivery drivers, early childhood educators, sanitation workers, public health staff, farmers, and so many more – thank you.

“Your work has always been essential, but now, our entire state is even more in awe of what you do. And we thank you.”