. @NC_Governor with updates on the #COVID19NC situation.

Watch live here: https://www.ncdps.gov/storm-update 

Or follow along with us in this thread.

#CoronavirusNC #ncpol

Last month, we took strong actions to keep people safe from the virus. But we can't stay this way forever.

We are flattening the curve, but we are not ready to lift restrictions yet. We need more time to slow the spread.

#StayHome order extended to May 8. #ncpol #COVID19NC

Cooper says he's extending the #stayhome order to May 8.

This decision is based on data in our critical categories. I know people want their lives and livelihoods back. We have a plan to do that. But safety of NCians is our number one priority.

#ncpol #COVID19NC

. @SecMandyCohen: has graphs and charts on what we need to see to ease restrictions.

Here are the four metrics state officials are watching to inform their decisions.

#ncpol #COVID19NC

Cohen: The percent of visits to the ER due to COVID19 are declining. Cohen draws attention to the yellow line. Need to see this go down and it is. So that's good news.

Limitation: this data point is driven by people seeking care.

#COVID19NC #ncpol

Cohen: Again, looking at the yellow line. It's a 7 day average of new cases.

Need to see a decline in this trajectory. We do not see that yet. This is the second highest day of reported new cases we have seen.

But as we do more testing, we will find new positive cases.

Cohen: As we test more, the absolute number of positive cases will go up.

So the percentage of positive tests relative to the overall number of tests being done needs to go down. That's what this graph looks at.
#ncpol #COVID19NC

Cohen: hospitalizations have leveled. That is good. But we want to see that go down.

This data is not new people being admitted each day. It's how many are in the hospital with COVID each day. Limitation is the percent of hospitals reporting. #ncpol #COVID19NC

State officials have talked about needing to increase COVID testing and tracing and PPE.

Below you'll see where we are right now and the target numbers we need to reach.

#COVID19NC #ncpol #coronavirusNC

Cohen: This is our score card on all these measures (see above in this thread) as of today. #ncpol #COVID19NC

Key thing to point out in this slide: number of cases and number of cases need to decrease or level.

Cohen says that because NC has done a good job of leveling the curve, we may not see a peak and then a drop. Sustained leveling is also a good place to be.

#COVID19NC #ncpol

Cohen turns back to Gov. Cooper for what a phased reopening will look like.

Three phase plan for stimulating the economy while staying safe.

Phase 1:
#ncpol #COVID19NC #coronavirusNC

Phase 2 includes lifting the #stayhome order. 2-3 weeks after phase 1. More details below.

#ncpol #COVID19NC

Phase 3 will allow increase numbers in mass gatherings and restaurant capacity. Rigorous restrictions on vulnerable populations will continue.
#ncpol #COVID19NC

Cooper notes that if infections spike or we see a rise in the trends that we need to see decrease, we may need to stay in one of the phases longer.

#ncpol #COVID19NC

Q: Will students go back to in-person instruction by the end of the year?

Cooper: tomorrow, we will have education leaders here to tell you about our plans for NC schools.

#ncpol #nced #COVID19NC

Q: Can you talk about false negative COVID19 tests?

There have been ups and downs with the testing. So many types of testing out there.

Many antibody tests on the market. FDA is relying on manufacturer assurances that these are accurate. Real concern about those being invalid

Cohen: Any diagnostic tests have some rate of false negatives.

The rapid tests have different types of sensitivities. Cohen confirms that there have been false negatives and doctors should use their best judgement when treating and advising patients. #ncpol #COVID19NC

Cooper tells patients not to avoid care for other illnesses during the pandemic.

We heard from hospital officials earlier this week that patients have shown up to the ER sicker than usual because they are waiting longer to address issues.

#ncpol #COVID19NC