North Carolina Will Remain In Phase 3 Of Reopening

Samantha Gilstrap,

RALEIGH, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper says North Carolina will remain in Phase 3 for three more weeks as health officials monitor coronavirus trends in the state.

Health officials say North Carolina has had an increase in hospitalizations due to the virus in recent weeks.

Cooper says despite being frustrated with the ongoing pandemic, we must all do our part to keep everyone safe including wearing masks, social distancing, and using good judgement.

β€œAs this pandemic continues, I know it’s difficult and tiring to keep up our guard, especially when we’re gathered with people we love. But it’s necessary. No one wants to spread COVID-19 accidentally to friends or family, so we must keep prevention at the forefront,” said Governor Cooper. β€œWearing a mask shows you care about people. Wearing a mask is an easy way to protect our communities and look out for each other. Confronting the virus head on and doing our part as individuals is good for our health and good for our economy.”

Cooper also gave an update on the NC Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) program, and says since announcing the program last week, over 12,000 applicants have filed for assistance, according to a news release.

HOPE officials say the program provides financial assistance to low-and-moderate income renters struggling to pay their bills due to the pandemic, by making direct payments to landlords and utility companies.

β€œAs the number of applications climbs higher every day, it should make us remember that it’s more than a number. Every one of those applications represents a family having to make impossible choices between basic necessities during a global pandemic,” said Governor Cooper.

Anyone wanting to apply for financial assistance through this program can click here or call 2-1-1.

Secretary of Health and Human Service Dr. Mandy Cohen urged local officials in communities with increasing coronavirus cases to take on additional measures to slow the spread of the virus, according to a news release.

β€œWe are doing everything we can to slow the spread of this virus. This simple fact is we can’t do it on our own. Ignoring the virus doesn’t make it go away – just the opposite,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. β€œAs hard as this is, it will end. We will get through this. Let’s do it by looking out for one another. Whatever your reason, get behind the mask.”