Cooper Announces “Modified Stay-At-Home” Order As COVID Cases And Hospitalizations Reach Record Levels

CHARLOTTE, NC – North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced a modified stay-at-home order as case counts and hospitalizations reach record levels. 

The move puts more restrictions on bars, restaurants, and businesses as the holiday season continues. 

“Our cases are trending up significantly,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, the state Health Director. 

“These are our highest rates since early in the pandemic when our testing levels were much much lower,” said Cohen.

Key metrics are rising sharply. The percent positive rate nearing 11%, up from 5% this summer. 

“We have to act now to save lives, safeguard our hospital capacity, and preserve our economy,” said Cooper. 

Cooper issued a modified stay-at-home order beginning Friday night. People should remain home between the hours of 10pm and 5am unless they have to go out for work, medical needs or to get supplies. 

Alcohol can no longer be served past 9pm. 

Bars, restaurants and most businesses must close by 10pm. 

Delivery and curbside services can continue past that time. 

The move comes as hospitals are feeling the strain. 

“Our top priority is and must be saving lives and keeping our healthcare system from being overwhelmed,” said Cooper. 

Capacity is tightening within the Metrolina Healthcare Preparedness Coalition, which consists of Mecklenburg and 10 surrounding counties. 

More than half of the ICU beds are occupied. 

About 80% of the inpatient beds are full. 

30% of the region’s ventilators are being used.

“More and more people are going into the hospital. They’re going into the hospital very ill,” said Cohen.

According to a new report from researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University, If conditions remain the same, Charlotte will reach ICU bed capacity in four and a half weeks. 

Atrium and Novant declined to comment directly on the study. An Atrium health spokesperson did send the following statement regarding its efforts to maintain adequate space. 

“Atrium Health is continuously monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic trends to ensure we are properly prepared to address capacity, personal protective equipment and other needs to best care for our patients. We’ve done extensive pre-planning to be appropriately prepared for an influx of patients and have implemented “COVID-Safe” care standards across all locations to keep patients, visitors and our teammates safe.

One of the innovative ways we have been managing our patient load is the Atrium Health Hospital at Home. Using portable technology, we can monitor a patient’s vital signs and other necessary information to care for them while they remain in the comfort of their own home. We stay in close contact with them and can dispatch paramedics to their home if assistance is needed. Using this new innovation has freed up a significant amount of bed space and also conserves personal protective equipment, as doctors and nurses are checking in via phone or video, so no PPE is necessary. Since its inception in late March, we have cared for more than 31,000 patients in the Atrium Health Hospital at Home.

As things continue to change regarding the virus, Atrium Health has leading healthcare experts involved in making decisions and monitoring and implementing updated recommendations from the CDC. Our experts continue to strongly encourage people to abide by the precautions we’ve been hearing since the beginning of the pandemic. Everyone needs to wear a mask when outside the home, wash hands frequently and observe an appropriate social distance from others.”