Local updates

• NC senate approved private bars and clubs to reopen at a similar capacity to restaurants

• It also expands outdoor dining capacity for restaurants, breweries, wineries to 50% capacity or 100 people whichever is less

• Currently only bars and clubs are not allowed to operate at 50% capacity

• Covered patios, public sidewalks, parking lots, and streets can be closed for private business

• Phase 3 is currently planned to begin on June 26th

• Winston Salem is expanding outdoor dining options for restaurants that allow sidewalk dining

• Restaurants can use privately owned parking lots and use sidewalk space in front of other buildings with the owner’s permission

• Forsyth county has experience its largest one day spike with 97 new cases reported on 5/28/20

• The previous high was 61 cases on May 14 and the number of deaths remain unchanged at 9.

• The overall total surged to 1,160 in the county

• 49% of individuals with COVID-19 have recovered in Forsyth County thus far

• An outbreak at Piney Grove Nursing and Rehabilitation recently has been noted as well

• Inmar intelligence is partnering with Wake Forest Baptist Health and iQ Healthtech Labs on a conversational chatbot that provides online assistance to individuals at higher risk for coronavirus.

• The purpose of it is to answer individualized questions and support those requiring care using social distancing.

• They have a symptom checker, risk assessment, e-appointment, updated wait times at local clinics

• ABC of NC a non profit which provides educational and therapeutic services for children with autism spectrum disorder got masks to fit children

• Local plants such as Indera MIlls and Renfro have been producing masks and PPE

• Project Mask of Winston-Salem a volunteer organization made 350 children’s mask in 3 days and donated it to those in need

• Parents find unique ways to get children to cooperate and wear masks

• President Donald Trump threatened to pull the Republican National Convention (RNC) out of the state if Governor Cooper-D does not immediately sign off on allowing a full-capacity gathering for Aug. 24-27.

• Friday (5/22/20) the state moved into the second phase of gradual reopening, which includes loosened restrictions on hair salons and restaurants.

• In the last few days, North Carolina has had its largest daily increase in positive cases.

• In response, Cooper’s office released a statement that state health officials are working with the RNC and will review decisions about how to hold the convention in Charlotte.

• Forsyth County reported 53 new cases on Monday.

• Last week, out of the reported 676 cases in the county, more than 50% of the positive results occurred within the Latino population. Latino population makes up only 13% of the county’s population.

• The Forsyth County Latino Congress reported that it will host an online gathering Tuesday (5/26/20) to share stories from various associations and nonprofits about the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Overall in Forsyth County, there have been 968 cases, and of those 9 have died, the most recent occurring over the weekend.

• Across North Carolina, there have been 23, 964 cases, and the death toll is 754.

• Currently, hospitals have 627 cases in North Carolina, which is the highest number of hospitalizations in the state since the start of the pandemic.

• 35 new people have tested positive for COVID-19

• 773 total people have tested positive for the virus and 460 have active infections

• In NC, 20,122 cases have been reported and 702 people have died

• Virus is spreading among families as well

• Governor Roy Cooper is expecting the state of NC to move into phase 2 of the reopening process this Friday.

• They will be limited to 50% capacity and tables must be 6 feet apart.

• Restaurants are required to screen employees for symptoms of COVID-19 and send workers home to isolate if symptomatic.

• It is recommended employees and customers wear face coverings.

• Novant Health’s Waughtown Respiratory Assessment Center has been open for a month for COVID-19 testing on Friday’s- each Friday the line is growing

• This clinic is located in a largely hispanic portion of the town.

• Of 700 people positive for coronavirus about half of them are Hispanic or Latino in Forsyth County. They make up 13% of the population.

• Health officials have said minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status have a greater chance of contracting the virus.

• 24% of them state a need for urgent medical care.

• They are torn between going home and spreading the virus or not going to work and losing their income.

• Many of them are undocumented and fear being caught as well.

• Over 40% of the community stated the lack of access for masks.

• Moreover, a food shortage in the community might increase the spread of the virus as many are carpooling to get access to food.

• N.C. Secretary of Health Mandy Cohen asked residents to ‘hang in there’ while officials work on seeing if the coronavirus threat has subsided enough

• More restrictions may be possible to ease by later this week

• Number of cases are largely stable

• NC has been sued by salon owners and a resident in Lincoln county defied the orders by opening up his restaurant dine in option for customers

• A federal judge last weekend blocked enforcement of the governors order stating no more than 10 can gather indoors for service

• As of 5/19/20 there are 675 new cases and an 30 more deaths

• There are 19,700 positive cases and 690 deaths in NC

• WFBMC is reopening outpatient clinics and resuming non-essential elective surgeries

• Patients will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival and will be tested for COVID-19 before surgery

• All patients are asked to wear masks when in Baptist facilities

• There are also new plexiglass dividers in the clinic and practices

Published 5/15/2020 on WSJ

• COVID-19 testing has expanded greatly as of Friday (5/15/2020)

• North Carolina health officials are encouraging doctors to order testing in high risk individuals (e.g. age>65, African American residents, prisoners, migrant workers, grocery-store clerks, and first responders) even in those who are asymptomatic.

• There have been more than 231,500 tests completed across the state since the pandemic started.

• The state’s Health and Human Services Secretary, Mandy Cohen, advocates that she wants anyone who wants a test to get one. Her agency is moving towards testing all nursing home residents and staff periodically as half of the 641 virus-related deaths have involved nursing home residents.

• There are more than 200 testing collection sites across the state.

• Hanes Mall reopened Saturday (5/9/2020) as COVID cases in NC and Forsyth county have risen.

• There were 15 new cases as of Saturday, making a countywide total of 369.

• Across the state there have been up to 492 cases as of Saturday. The number of COVID related deaths rose by 17, totaling 544 across the state.

• Forsyth County’s death toll remains at 5 (the most percent death occurred mid-April).

• The Forsyth County Department of Public Health reported 17 new COVID cases as of Sunday (5/10/2020). The county’s total is now 386.

• There have been 404 new cases statewide as of Sunday and three new related deaths.

• The total number of cases in NC is 14,764. The death count is 547.

• The rate of positive tests for the virus remain under 10% with state testing.

• A clinical trial involving a medication, leronlimab, that could potentially treat symptoms of COVID-19 has advanced to the next stage.

• The trial takes place at two Novant Health Inc. hospitals, including Forsyth Medical Center. The trial is also being done at Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte.

• The initial Phase 2 of the trial started in April. 54 patients were enrolled and treated with leronlimab in the randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study.

• Phase 2b/3 will involve 390 patients with a 2:1 ratio of active drug to placebo in order to determine the efficacy of the drug. Patients are administered leronlimab for 2 weeks, and mortality rate will be checked at 28 days and 14 days.

• Forsyth County’s Public Health Department reported the smallest increase of cases this week, 7.

• Total of 354 COVID cases in Forsyth County, 170 have recovered, and 5 have died.

• 7,000 people were tested across the state on Thursday, and state health officials have said the need to test 5,000-7,000 people a day.

• Roy Cooper’s stay at home order expired on Friday, allowing the state to move into “Phase 1” which includes reopening of commercial retailers (to half capacity) and state parks.

• There continues to be an emphasis in social distancing, washing hands and wearing masks.

• There are 9 new cases as of Tuesday (5/5/2020) from Monday.

• In Forsyth County, there have been a total of 296 COVID cases. The number of deaths remains at 5. 144 Forsyth cases are considered recovered.

• Overall the number of cases in the 14-county Triad and Northwest North Carolina region is at 1,621, up from 1,065 a week ago. However, new cases are considered clusters and are easier to contain, per infectious disease expert Dr. Ohl from WFBMC.

• Statewide there have been 12,256 cases and 452 deaths.

• Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order stating that the state can reopen beginning Friday at 5pm - Phase 1 of reopening

• Essential businesses can reopen at 50% capacity

• Outdoor gatherings can include up to 10 individuals including places of worship as long as social distancing is in place

• Face coverings should be worn outdoors and in the home when with others.

• Stay at home will be extended until May 22 and may be extended

• Employers will encourage people to still work from home

• Phase 3 will begin 4-6 weeks after Phase 2 ends

• There are 9 new cases as of Tuesday (5/5/2020) from Monday.

• In Forsyth County, there have been a total of 296 COVID cases. The number of deaths remains at 5. 144 Forsyth cases are considered recovered.

• Overall the number of cases in the 14-county Triad and Northwest North Carolina region is at 1,621, up from 1,065 a week ago. However, new cases are considered clusters and are easier to contain, per infectious disease expert Dr. Ohl from WFBMC.

• Statewide there have been 12,256 cases and 452 deaths.

• On Monday (5/4/2020), Governor Roy Cooper signed into law two bipartisan COVID-19 relief package bills

• House Bill 1043 (HB1043) and Senate Bill 704 (SB704) were signed unanimously Saturday.

• HB1043 includes limited and temporary extension of the state’s Medicaid expansion, $23 million increase funding to WFBC, and $25 million to N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for COVID testing.

• SB704 includes increased commitment to small business loans and a lower reprieve for North Carolina drivers to renew their driver’s licenses, vehicle inspections and registrations, and other credentialed permits

• Cardinal Innovations is based in Charlotte and is the state’s largest behavior health managed care organization which serves 20 NC counties.

• On Tuesday, Cardinal Innovations stated that 10 Triad nonprofit groups will receive up to $20,000 grant funding.

• Some of the nonprofit groups include Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Path of Hope Inc in Davidson county, and YWCA of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

• The country department of public health announced 32 new cases of COVID-19 connected to a processing plant in Wilkesboro.

• This brings the total number of cases in Forsyth to 242. 114 are active, 123 recovered, 5 died.

• Since Monday, there have been 89 new cases of COVID-19 in Forsyth County.

• In NC, 10,500 people have tested positive, 378 have died.

• There have been 5 new cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday (4/28/2020) from Monday. This makes 183 total cases that have tested COVID positive in the county.

• Due to increased testing availability, there may be more cases reported.

• The number of deaths remain at 5. 118 are considered recovered while 60 remain active infections.

• The total count statewide is 9,568 cases with 342 deaths. Nursing homes account for 1,432 confirmed cases and 149 deaths. Residential facilities account for 285 confirmed cases and 31 deaths.Correctional facilities account for 950 cases and 6 deaths.

• The Ronald McDonald House in Winston-Salem was established in 1984 to provide accommodations and meals to out-of-town families who have children receiving medical care at local hospitals.

• There are 350 worldwide, which have remained open during the pandemic.

• There have been some changes during this time including no volunteers or visitors.

• Since volunteers cooked the meals, the house has switched to restaurant deliveries, many donated from local restaurants or chains. Some of these restaurants contributed to dinners even before the pandemic.

• Due to non-urgent surgeries and treatments being postponed, occupancy has decreased.

• Dr. Julie Ann Freishlag, the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s chief executive and medical school dean, confirmed Thursday (4/23/20) of furloughs for its employees that will begin next week or early May.

• Since COVID-19, there has been a significant decrease in patient volumes and therefore decrease in revenue. Wake Forest Baptist is the largest employer in Forsyth County with about 19,220 employees.

• The furlough period would last 16 weeks. It is designed to provide continuous income and benefits for employees despite reduction in hours.

• Those in management level including vice presidential level and above and department chairs will take pay reductions during this time.

• Wake Forest Baptists plans to resume elective procedures in early May.

• Novant plans to resume elective surgeries and some in person appointments on May 4.

• These include pediatric, chronic illness, and acute illness appointments.

• Wake Forest plans to do the same.

• Novant, Wake Forest, and Cone health suspended elective procedures on March 18 to conserve hospital beds for COVID-19 patients.

• Federal guidance for medicare and medicaid are soon to be released for resuming these surgeries in low impact COVID-19 regions.

• These patients must not have COVID-19 signs or symptoms as well.

• Novant has seen a decline in patients with heart attacks and strokes compared to before COVID-19, which is detrimental to the health of these patients.

• There will be enhanced patient and staff safety and screening measures as well as cleaning protocols in place.

• It may include a reduction of patients in a location, limited use of waiting rooms and care in vehicles.

• It is recommended cloth masks or face coverings are used during the visits.

• Stay at home order extended until May 8.

• Although state trends are encouraging, the state is not ready to lift stay at home restrictions.

• NC Medical Society and Healthcare Association advise a gradual loosening of restrictions with the cooperation of businesses to slow the spread of coronavirus.

• Lt. Gov Dan Forest (opponent to Gov Roy Cooper in election) urges to reopen the economy of NC

• Need increased testing, tracing, trends to enter phases

• Information on schools to come tomorrow

• Reopen plan phase 1:

  • Reopen non-essential business(commercial activity)

  • Adhere to social distance guidelines: 6 feet apart and limit number of people in an area

  • Implemente cleaning protocols and protect vulnerable population

  • Gatherings cannot be larger than 10 people

  • Reopen parks and recreational locations

  • Continue teleworking for those who can

  • Rigorous regulation of nursing homes and other institutions

• Phase 2

  • Lift stay at home order but encourage those vulnerable to continue doing so

  • Reopen restaurants, bars, clubs, fitness, personal care services

  • Allow gatherings in places of worship and for events at reduced capacity

  • Open playgrounds

  • Continue restrictions on nursing homes and other facilities

• Phase 3:

  • 4-6 weeks after phase 2

  • Lessen restrictions for vulnerable population, maintain distance, avoid places you cannot maintain distance

  • Allow increased capacity at most places

  • Continue restrictions on nursing homes

• Project Mask WS consists of 2,000 Winston-Salem local volunteers.

• To date, they have distributed 25,000 masks to healthcare providers and have raised more than $25,000 for supplies and mask materials.

• The masks are being used by facilities including Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Novant, Davie County EMS and Salem Chest Specialists.

• Volunteers are able to drop off completed masks and pick up kits to sew 24 masks at “mask caves,” which are sites all over Winston.

• A video by Ritcheit Kulkarni, 11, who is the son of a researcher at Wake Forest University, has a youtube video on how to make Project Mask WS masks. The masks are approved by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Health to use when N95 masks are not warranted.

• As of Wednesday (4/22/2020) there have been at least 10 new COVID-19 cases in Forsyth county.

• In Forsyth county, there have been now 141 cases. Of those cases, 99 patients have recovered and 5 have died. Therefore, currently there are 37 active cases.

• The number of tests completed in North Carolina between Tuesday and Wednesday is about 7,000.

• Mayor Allen Joines told council members that it is time to start planning the gradual reopening of WS.

• He is putting together a task force to advise him on how to lift restrictions on stores and restaurants.

• Social distancing is working there has been a drop in the number of active cases since early April.

• City council approved additional paid leave for city employees.

• The city gave 15 days of paid leave starting on March 15.

• A federal law providing 10 days of emergency paid sick leave on April 1, with 12 weeks of expanded family and medical leave provided to employees affected by school and day-care closings.

• Leaders from Novant Health, Wake Baptist, and Winston Salem Mayor Allen Joines announce a new plan called Mask the City.

• They urge residents to practice social distancing and wear masks in public for 40 days from April 22 to May 31.

• Masks will be dispersed. Over 60,000 masks will be available for no cost to low income residents.

• Winston- Salem Businesses are buying masks for their employees and families.

• Dr. Satterwhite of Wake Baptist and his team designed a washable, reusable mask in conjunction with Renfro

• Renfro is offering masks at a special price towards this city initiative.

• The company has the ability to make 1 million masks per week and has the first 300,000 masks for WS. 30,000 masks have been delivered to WS thus far.

• Masks will be available for purchase Friday April 24 at Lowes Food on Robinhood, Reynolda Road, and Peters Creek Parkway in Winston Salem.

• Forsyth Department of Public Health reports the county has 130 COVID cases as of Monday (4/20/20). Of those cases, 96 individuals have recovered. The death count remains 5.

• In North Carolina, there have been 6,764 cases as of Monday, which is up from 6,493 reported on Sunday. There have been 179 deaths statewide.

• Gov. Cooper stresses that it may be weeks before an opening initiative is in place, though the pandemic seems to be slowing from a public-health perspective.

• There is a vocal group of North Carolinians who want to re-open the state economy. Legislators US Rep. Dan Bishop, R-9th, and NC Sen. Vicki Sawyer, R-Iredell, planned to attend a Reopen NC protest in Raleigh.

• Stay-at-home restrictions in Winston Salem continue to be until May 7.

• Free meals will only be distributed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday’s until school closure.

• Monday’s meals include meals for Monday and Tuesday, etc.

• The school system is now offering meals on weekends as well.

• On Friday’s Dine WS/FCS is making enough meals to last the entire weekend.

• This will allow families to make less trips and receive adequate amounts of food for their children.

• They are serving about 15,000 meals every day.

• For the second straight day, there is an additional patient diagnosed with COVID in Forsyth

• There are a total of 128 cases: 95 recovered and 5 deaths

• On 4/19/20 there were 6,493 confirmed cases and statewide death increased to 172

• Joshua Swift, the public health director of Forsyth County, will have a detailed briefing at 2 p.m. Thursday.

• On Friday (4/17), Gov. Cooper continues to stress stay-at-home orders and need for more widespread COVID-19 testing.

• Since 3/11, there have been 5,859 COVID-19 cases in NC. Total number of deaths is 152.

• No new COVID cases were reported on 4/16. There have been 126 reported cases in Forsyth since 3/11.

• There are no new COVID-19 cases reported in Forsyth County on 4/17/20.

• There are 126 reported cases now and 5 local deaths related to the virus.

• 95 individuals have recovered (asymptomatic for 72 hours) and 26 cases are active.

• Statewide there are 5,859 and 152 deaths

• Governor Cooper says NC will need more widespread testing and contact tracing before restrictions can be eased.

• Restrictions should be a statewide initiative rather than individual communities states Dr. Ohl of Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.

• The best material to make masks are two layers of high quality, heavyweight “quilter’s cotton” with a thread count of 180 or more

• Tight woven and thicker thread fabrics are prefered

• Double layer masks with a simple cotton outer layer and inner layer of flannel

• A “light test” can help determine the quality of the fabric. That is when light is shone through the fabric, the light should not be very easy to see.

• Masks are worn to protect others from those who are infected.

• Ties over elastic loops are recommended because ties can provide a good fit.

• It is important to be able to breathe and not touch your face while wearing a mask.

• Dr. Christopher Ohl with Wake Forest Baptist Hospital Center (WFBH) believes that residents should stay home at least through the end of April, but recommends most to stay home until mid-May.

• Dr. Ohl reports that social distancing has been working.

• Governor Cooper reports that he recently had a conference call with the nation's governors and President Trump. Cooper emphasized the federal government assistance for testing and PPE. Dr. Ohl says they’re are not enough kits available for everyone who wants to be tested to be tested.

• WFBH plans to test women in labor due to the breathing techniques involved in labor are more susceptible to contracting COVID

• Winston-Salem’s stay-at-home restriction has been extended to May 7.

• A fourth person in Forsyth County has died related to COVID-19 on Saturday (4/11/2020). The individual was in their 70s with underlying medical conditions.

• As of Saturday, 115 Forsyth County residents have tested positive, and of those, 67 have recovered.

• Across North Carolina, 4,312 have tested positive, and of those, 80 have died.

• Mayor Allen Joines of Winston Salem has officially extended the stay at home order until May 7, 2020

• He believes if the previous order was left in place the cases in Winston Salem could increase by 50%

• The mayor is working with hotels to house those who are homeless to reduce the spread of the virus and all rides using WS Transit Authority will be free.

• The situation will be monitored to determine if these orders can be lifted earlier.

• State Republican legislative leaders are providing $100,000 to the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to pay for 1,000 antibody kits.

• The hope is the kits will provide data to help track the disease and answer secondary research questions.

• Researchers have identified study participants through Wake. Participants will receive at-home antibody test kits for every month for one year. Those with the antibodies suggest that the individual had the virus.

• This information will be shared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and state and local public health departments.

• A new case of COVID-19 in Forsyth Country was reported on Sunday (4/12/2020). This brings the total number of cases to 116 in the county

• Of the 116, 67 have recovered and 4 have died related to complications of the virus.

• Across the NC state, there have been 4,520 cases and 81 related deaths.

• Gov. Roy Cooper’s latest executive order was delivered Thursday, and involves three parts.

  • Part 1: Retailers must limit capacity to no more than 20% of the store’s fire capacity or 5 customers for every 1,000 square feet. Mark 6 ft of space at checkout lanes. Frequently clean and disinfect high-touch areas. This should take effect on Monday (4/13) at 5pm.

  • Part 2: Skilled nursing facilities must screen all staff at the start of their shifts, cancel communal dining and group activities, have staff wear face masks, monitor all residents upon admission and at least daily fever or signs of respiratory illness, and notify local health department if there is confirmed or suspected COVID-19. This should take effect on Friday (4/10) at 5pm.

  • Part 3: In regards to unemployment insurance, the order institutes several measures related to employers speeding up the processing of unemployment claims. This took effect retroactively on April 1.

• The goal of the executive order is uniformity across the state on social distancing practices at retailers.

• N.C. Governor Cooper plans to issue an executive order on Thursday (April 9) in regards to new social distancing requirements for groceries and other retailers.

• The order will provide more uniform expectations across the state. Some retailers have already capped the number of customers in the building and have marked 6 feet separation in lines to comply with social distancing.

• North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Forwell was discharged Friday (April 3) after being hospitalized for 5 days at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.

• He was originally diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 24 with symptoms of cough, difficulty breathing.

• During his hospitalization, he received hydroxychloroquine, which is currently under clinical trials for use on coronavirus. Hydroxychloroquine is a drug normally used to treat diseases like malaria, lupus and arthritis.

• Novant Health Inc. will be participating in Phase 2 of a clinical trial for a medication (leronlimab) that could treat patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of COVID. The FDA approved Phase 2 trial on March 31.

• The trial is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study involving 75 patients. The treatment window is 6 weeks.

• The clinical trial is being conducted at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem and Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte.

• The same manufacturer's of the drug (CytoDyn) also have a separate double-blinded trial with the same drug, leronlimab, with a 2-to-1 drug to placebo ratio for severely ill COVID patients that will look at the mortality rate at 14 and 28 days.

• As of Monday, the Winston-Salem Police Department has posted an online form where individuals can report suspected violations of the social-distancing orders.

• The form would include reporting locations where they believe individuals are not complying with stay-at-home restrictions.

• Over the weekend, there were about 10 calls from residents reporting large gatherings.

• As of 4/7/2020, there are a total 46 deaths across the NC state associated with COVID-19.

• Forsyth county has at least 106 cases (51 of the cases are considered recovered). Across the state, there have been more than 3,200 reported cases.

• There have been 2 COVID-19 related deaths in Forsyth.

• New models from Duke and UNC Chapel Hill estimate that infection numbers can total up to 250,000 if stay-home orders are in place until June 1.

• Wake Forest Baptist Hospital has moved its Brenner Children pediatric emergency department to a section of the adult emergency department in order to open a comprehensive acute respiratory evaluation unit (CARE center) to treat patients with respiratory and infectious symptoms separate from other patients.

• Forsyth County’s hospitals including Novant Health Inc. and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have restricted laboring mothers to one person in the delivery room.

• Previously the restriction allowed for two visitors.

• The visitor can be a spouse, significant other, family member or birthing assistant.

• Pregnant women are considered high-risk patients.. However, very little is known at this time of the effects of COVID-19 on pregnant women and infants

• A second resident from Forsyth County has died on April 4 from complications of COVID-19

• The patient was in their 70s and had underlying medical conditions

• Police officers note that there have been recent complaints of gatherings greater than 10 people.

• Winston-Salem Manager Lee Garrity has forced the closure of dog parks due to crowd concerns

• Since March 16th, 353,480 claims for unemployment have been filed. 87.4% of those cases cited COVID-19 virus.

• In the week ending on March 28, 170,881 claims were filed versus 3,533 filed in the week of March 21.

• The CARES Act from the federal government can give up to $600 up to 13 weeks if eligible

• The N.C. unemployment law provides the maximum amount of $350 for a maximum of 12 weeks

• North Carolina has one of the lowest number of benefit weeks in the country.

Review by Cassandra Macalino on 4/2/20.

This prohibits utilities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater services from being disconnected for those who are unable to pay during this pandemic. Further no utility may bill or collect any fee, charge, penalty or interest for a late payment. Utilities will offer repayment plans that allow residents at least 6 months to pay unpaid bills without owing interest.

Reviewed by Cassandra Macalino on 4/1/20.

The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) received authorization from the US Department of Agriculture to maximize Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) payments to all recipients for March and April of 2020.

• Families that already receive the maximum FNS payment cannot receive a temporary increase

• Families that did not previously qualify for FNS will not receive benefits

360,000 NC families will begin receiving benefits on April 1. NCDHHS has also extended FNS approval periods, to ensure that families do not need to visit the Social Services office during the stay-at-home order.

Reviewed by Rohin Gawdi on 4/1/20.

• A Forsyth Country resident has died from COVID-19, the first in the county

• The deceased was in their 90s with several underlying health issues

• Eight people have died related to the virus in North Carolina

• There are 42 known cases in Forsyth County

• >1,400 cases in North Carolina