Press Releases

Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order to Close Sit-Down Service at Restaurants and Bars and Make State Unemployment Benefits More Widely Available

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina restaurants and bars will be closed to sit-down service and limited to take-out or delivery orders starting at 5 pm tonight, March 17, 2020. Grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores, are exempt from this order and will remain open, though they may not serve sit-down food.

Governor Cooper Requests Small Business Administration Disaster Declaration to Aid COVID-19 Response

Governor Roy Cooper requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration grant a disaster declaration for business owners in North Carolina facing economic losses due to the new Coronavirus, COVID-19. 
 

Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order Closing K-12 Public Schools and Banning Gatherings of More Than 100 People

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all K-12 public schools in North Carolina to close for a minimum of two weeks in response to COVID-19. The Executive Order also bans gatherings of more than 100 people.

NCDHHS Announces Three Additional Cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina

Two people from Forsyth County and a person from Johnston County have tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total of positive cases in North Carolina to 12, including a Durham resident who tested positive in another state.

COVID-19 Mitigation Measures - March 12, 2020

As the number of cases of COVID-19 rise in North Carolina and the United States, and with the designation of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the state is responding with a whole government response. COVID-19 is a new infection that is particularly severe in older persons and those with medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and weakened immune systems.

North Carolina Recommends New Steps to Protect Against COVID-19

Governor, DHHS urge North Carolinians to follow guidance. Governor Roy Cooper today announced that North Carolina is taking proactive steps to protect the health and wellbeing of our state in the face of growing cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 around the nation and here in North Carolina. Included in today's guidance is a recommendation to cancel or postpone gatherings over 100 people and telework if possible.

NC Medicaid Updates Policies to Address COVID-19

NC Medicaid is implementing several policy changes in response to COVID-19 to slow the spread of the virus, support healthcare providers and protect more vulnerable North Carolinians.

NCDHHS Announces Eighth Case of COVID-19 in North Carolina

An additional person from Wake County has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total of positive cases in North Carolina to eight.

COVID-19 Mitigation Guidance - March 10, 2020

On Monday, March 9, 2020, NC DHHS confirmed 5 new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wake County, increasing the statewide total to 7. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) is taking proactive steps to protect the health of our community by making recommendations that are meant to slow the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak and reduce the number of people infected.

Governor Cooper Declares State Of Emergency To Respond To Coronavirus COVID-19

Governor Roy Cooper took the next step in the state's coronavirus COVID-19 preparedness plan today and issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency.

Indiana Individual with Confirmed COVID-19 Traveled to North Carolina

The Indiana State Department of Health notified North Carolina officials that a person who tested positive for COVID-19 on March 8 was in Durham and Wake counties on March 2 through March 6 while symptomatic. The person is in isolation at home in Indiana.

Five More People in North Carolina Test Positive for COVID-19

Five more people in Wake County have tested presumptively positive today for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). All traveled to Boston in late February to attend a BioGen conference. Several cases of COVID-19 across the country have been tied to the conference.

North Carolina Identifies Second Case of COVID-19

A second North Carolina person, unrelated to the first case, has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The test, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab. The person is doing well and is in isolation at home.

Governor's Task Force Announces State Laboratory Now Able to Test for COVID-19

As North Carolina continues to prepare for the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, the NC State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) within the NC Department of Health and Human Services is now able to perform testing for the virus. This new capability allows North Carolina to more quickly take public health steps to respond to any positive test result.

North Carolina Identifies First Case of COVID-19

A North Carolina person has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The test, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, is presumptively positive and will be confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lab. The person is doing well and is in isolation at home.

Governor’s Task Force Encourages North Carolinians to Increase Preparedness Measures for COVID-19

Governor Roy Cooper’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Task Force continues to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 infections occurring in North Carolina and is encouraging businesses, schools, health care providers, communities and individuals to prepare as well. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina.

North Carolina Selected to Participate in US Department of Labor's VOICE Initiative to Increase Employment to Those with Disabilities

North Carolina is among 12 states selected by the U.S. Department of Labor to Participate in an initiative to increase employment of people with disabilities.

Governor Cooper Directs Creation of Novel Coronavirus Task Force to Continue Protective Efforts

Governor Roy Cooper formalized the state's ongoing effort to monitor, prepare for and respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus (CoVID-19) with a state Novel Coronavirus Task Force.

North Carolina is ‘High-Performer’ in Public Health Emergency Preparedness

North Carolina is among states rated as high performers in public health emergency preparedness measures by a nonpartisan, nonprofit that advocates for optimal health for people and communities through prevention of illness and injuries.

NCDHHS Provides Coronavirus Update for Travelers Returning to North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments to respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak and assure the health and well-being of North Carolinians as resident