Press Releases

People with Mild Symptoms Should Stay Home

For people who think they might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends they stay home and call their doctor for medical advice. Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild illness and recover at home.

North Carolina Receives Federal Disaster Declaration for COVID-19

The White House granted Governor Roy Cooper’s request late Wednesday for a federal disaster declaration for the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic in North Carolina.

North Carolina Reports First COVID-19 Associated Deaths

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first COVID-19 associated deaths. 

NC Medicaid Increases Support to Protect Those Most at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19 and to Maintain Access to Services

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Division of Health Benefits (NC Medicaid) will temporarily increase payments rates to long-term care providers and facilities to support them in caring for Medicaid beneficiaries who are at high risk of serious illness from COVID

NCDHHS Announces Hotline for Critical Workers Seeking Child Care Options

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has partnered with the North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) network to launch a hotline to provide child care options for children of critical workers who do not have access to typical care because of COVID-19 closures.

Governor Cooper Directs Funding to Schools to Teach and Feed Students During COVID-19

Governor Cooper directed $50 million in school funding flexibility to help public schools and support the greatest needs to serve students during the COVID-19 crisis. Governor Cooper has ordered North Carolina public schools to remain closed to in-class instruction through May 15. 

Governor Cooper Requests Major Disaster Declaration for COVID-19

In a letter to President Trump, Governor Roy Cooper has requested a major disaster declaration for the State of North Carolina due to the continuing impacts of COVID-19 on North Carolina.

Governor’s Working Group Getting Food to Children Who are Out of School; Connecting Families to Child Care

With schools closed to in-person instruction, many children across North Carolina are getting their daily meals from school districts and community partners. All 115 public school districts – many working with community partners such as food banks and faith-based entities – have approved plans to serve meals to children in North Carolina. As of March 22nd, more than 1,165 schools had already served 1.2 million meals and 6,500 snacks.

Governor Cooper Extends School Closure Date To May; Orders Group Limit To 50 People

Governor Roy Cooper ordered tighter limits on gatherings and extended school closures statewide to May 15, 2020. 

Governor Cooper Orders Increased Access to Childcare, DMV Clarifications

Governor Roy Cooper has waived restrictions to increase access to caregivers to provide flexible child care and elder care during the coronavirus emergency. The Order provides flexibility to local health departments working to adapt to the increased need for their resources.

Governor Cooper Pushes for Key Federal Changes to Make Food, Healthcare More Accessible

Governor Roy Cooper has written to President Donald J. Trump to ask for key waivers that will allow North Carolina to adapt federal food and healthcare programs to better serve North Carolinians in the COVID-19 crisis.

NC Medicaid Increasing Eligible Technology and Provider Types for Telemedicine to Address COVID-19

NC Medicaid today announced several policy changes around the use of telemedicine in response to COVID-19. These changes will enable Medicaid beneficiaries to continue to access the care they need. 

U.S. Small Business Administration Grants Governor Cooper’s Request for Disaster Declaration to Support Small Businesses

RALEIGH: The U.S. Small Business Administration granted Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a disaster declaration for small businesses that are suffering economic losses due to the new Coronavirus, COVID-19.

NC 2-1-1 to Provide Assistance for COVID-19

Governor Roy Cooper today announced NC 2-1-1 by United Way of North Carolina as a resource for people to call for assistance related to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

NC Medicaid Requests Temporary Plan Changes to Respond COVID-19

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has sought authority from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to temporarily waive certain Medicaid and NC Health Choice policies as part of North Carolina's response to the COVID-19. The waivers will provide flexibility to NC Medicaid and providers to address the urgent health care needs of beneficiaries during this public health emergency.

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.