New executive orders on the coronavirus seek to protect some of North Carolina’s most vulnerable residents.

In this episode:

The steps Governor Roy Cooper is taking to protect nursing homes after multiple care facilities have reported COVID-19 outbreaks; additional efforts to boost hospital capacity and make it easier for medical professionals to access and treat patients; a new telehealth service a Wilmington-based technology company is making available for free; and the new mental health hotlines connecting North Carolinians to resources to help them cope and build resilience during the ongoing crisis.

New executive orders on the coronavirus seek to protect some of North Carolina’s most vulnerable residents.

In this episode:

The steps Governor Roy Cooper is taking to protect nursing homes after multiple care facilities have reported COVID-19 outbreaks; additional efforts to boost hospital capacity and make it easier for medical professionals to access and treat patients; a new telehealth service a Wilmington-based technology company is making available for free; and the new mental health hotlines connecting North Carolinians to resources to help them cope and build resilience during the ongoing crisis.

As of April 7, 2020 there are 3,503 cases of coronavirus in North Carolina. There have been 64 deaths and 386 people are currently hospitalized.

Today Governor Roy Cooper announced new guidelines for adult care facilities. He called those types of care facilities "hotspots of transmission." Sixty cases of coronavirus are linked to a single skilled nursing facility in Orange County. Liisa Ogburn of AgingAdvisorsNC.com speaks with WRAL News about why adult care facilities are such hotspots.

David McClellen of Meredith University discusses the pandemic's impact on the 2020 election. Senator Bernie Sanders announced today he is withdrawing from the Democratic primary, leaving former Vice President Joe Biden as the presumptive nominee.

Connel Fullenkamp, PhD, of Duke University talks about the current economic uncertainty and how families can prepare now for changes to their financial stability.

For complete coverage go to https://www.wral.com/coronavirus

As of April 7, 2020 there are 3,503 cases of coronavirus in North Carolina. There have been 64 deaths and 386 people are currently hospitalized.

Today Governor Roy Cooper announced new guidelines for adult care facilities. He called those types of care facilities "hotspots of transmission." Sixty cases of coronavirus are linked to a single skilled nursing facility in Orange County. Liisa Ogburn of AgingAdvisorsNC.com speaks with WRAL News about why adult care facilities are such hotspots.

David McClellen of Meredith University discusses the pandemic's impact on the 2020 election. Senator Bernie Sanders announced today he is withdrawing from the Democratic primary, leaving former Vice President Joe Biden as the presumptive nominee.

Connel Fullenkamp, PhD, of Duke University talks about the current economic uncertainty and how families can prepare now for changes to their financial stability.

For complete coverage go to https://www.wral.com/coronavirus

Thousands of businesses across North Carolina have shut down during the coronavirus pandemic, and families statewide are required to stay at home as much as possible to curb the spread of the virus. But when can things go back to normal?

In this episode:

A recent study conducted by public health experts has laid out a roadmap for states like North Carolina to reopen for business. 

To get there, the study lays out four key benchmarks:

1: Hospitals must be able to safely treat all patients requiring hospitalization without resorting to crisis standards of care.

2: A state needs to be able to test at least everyone who has symptoms.

3: A state must be able to monitor all confirmed cases and their contacts.

4: A continuous reduction in cases needs to last at least 14 days.

Animal shelters in North Carolina are asking for help during the pandemic. Shelters like the SPCA of Wake County and the Animal Protection Society of Durham have turned to livestreams and social media to facilitate virtual adoptions during quarantine, but they're still struggling to raise money and clear space.

From WRAL Techwire: With so many people working or learning remotely during the pandemic, the search for free or lower-cost Internet access has become critical. Now, the North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office has something it says will help: A new interactive map to help find connectivity.

North Carolina-based grocery store chain Harris Teeter has announced that they will be implementing customer capacity limits at all stores to further protect associates and shoppers. According to their press release, beginning today, Harris Teeter will limit the number of customers to 50% of building code capacity to further support physical distancing in its stores. Store associates will monitor the number of customers to ensure the capacity limit is maintained.

Thousands of businesses across North Carolina have shut down during the coronavirus pandemic, and families statewide are required to stay at home as much as possible to curb the spread of the virus. But when can things go back to normal?

In this episode:

A recent study conducted by public health experts has laid out a roadmap for states like North Carolina to reopen for business. 

To get there, the study lays out four key benchmarks:

1: Hospitals must be able to safely treat all patients requiring hospitalization without resorting to crisis standards of care.

2: A state needs to be able to test at least everyone who has symptoms.

3: A state must be able to monitor all confirmed cases and their contacts.

4: A continuous reduction in cases needs to last at least 14 days.

Animal shelters in North Carolina are asking for help during the pandemic. Shelters like the SPCA of Wake County and the Animal Protection Society of Durham have turned to livestreams and social media to facilitate virtual adoptions during quarantine, but they're still struggling to raise money and clear space.

From WRAL Techwire: With so many people working or learning remotely during the pandemic, the search for free or lower-cost Internet access has become critical. Now, the North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office has something it says will help: A new interactive map to help find connectivity.

North Carolina-based grocery store chain Harris Teeter has announced that they will be implementing customer capacity limits at all stores to further protect associates and shoppers. According to their press release, beginning today, Harris Teeter will limit the number of customers to 50% of building code capacity to further support physical distancing in its stores. Store associates will monitor the number of customers to ensure the capacity limit is maintained.

As of April 7, 2020 there are 3,280 cases of coronavirus in North Carolina. There have been 54 deaths and 354 people are currently hospitalized.

Despite the current conditions, many people find hope in faith. This week is an important one for Christians celebrating Holy Week and Jews observing Passover. Later this month Muslims throughout the world will observe Ramadan. Tonight's program is about finding hope and celebrating the traditions of faith when togetherness is a challenge. How do faith communities come together in a time of social distancing?

WRAL's David Crabtree speaks with three faith leaders in our community: The Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Rabbi Eric Solomon of Beth Meyer Synagogue and Imam Abdullah Antepli of Duke University about the challenges of worship during coronavirus and how believers draw strength from their faith.

For complete coverage go to https://www.wral.com/coronavirusFor complete coverage go to https://www.wral.com/coronavirus

As of April 7, 2020 there are 3,280 cases of coronavirus in North Carolina. There have been 54 deaths and 354 people are currently hospitalized.

Despite the current conditions, many people find hope in faith. This week is an important one for Christians celebrating Holy Week and Jews observing Passover. Later this month Muslims throughout the world will observe Ramadan. Tonight's program is about finding hope and celebrating the traditions of faith when togetherness is a challenge. How do faith communities come together in a time of social distancing?

WRAL's David Crabtree speaks with three faith leaders in our community: The Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Rabbi Eric Solomon of Beth Meyer Synagogue and Imam Abdullah Antepli of Duke University about the challenges of worship during coronavirus and how believers draw strength from their faith.

For complete coverage go to https://www.wral.com/coronavirusFor complete coverage go to https://www.wral.com/coronavirus

North Carolina is taking new steps to help those on the front lines of the growing coronavirus pandemic. 

In this episode:

> The state Department of Health and Human Services is providing financial assistance to help essential workers afford child care during the COVID-19 crisis. Today, DHHS announced it has established the Emergency Child Care Subsidy Program for essential workers. The program establishes a hotline parents can use to find childcare services as well as funds to help families who cannot afford such programs.

> A website says North Carolina has a lot of room for improvement when it comes to practicing social distancing. Unacast Online updates its "social distancing grade" for each state daily by analyzing cell phone data to track movement. North Carolina currently has a D- rating. In March, the state scored a B.

> Many non-profit organizations are trying to stay afloat after "social distancing" restrictions have led to canceled or postponed events. Kathleen Ruddy, the chief executive officer of St. Baldrick's Foundation, a charity which raises money to fight childhood cancer, says St. Baldrick's as well as many other fundraising organizations fear that their ability to advance critical causes will fall far short of goals.

> Today, more Fort Bragg soldiers left for New York to support FEMA in their fight against COVID-19. New York City is considered the center of the coronavirus pandemic in the US and needs all the help it can get. To make room in hospitals for critical patients, the Javits Convention Center in New York City has been turned into the nation's largest hospital, with at least 2,500 beds and 40 intensive care units and ventilators.

> With store shelves empty and many cleaning products like hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes in short supply, some consumers have started making their own chemicals at home -- but medical professionals warn this comes with risks.

North Carolina is taking new steps to help those on the front lines of the growing coronavirus pandemic. 

In this episode:

> The state Department of Health and Human Services is providing financial assistance to help essential workers afford child care during the COVID-19 crisis. Today, DHHS announced it has established the Emergency Child Care Subsidy Program for essential workers. The program establishes a hotline parents can use to find childcare services as well as funds to help families who cannot afford such programs.

> A website says North Carolina has a lot of room for improvement when it comes to practicing social distancing. Unacast Online updates its "social distancing grade" for each state daily by analyzing cell phone data to track movement. North Carolina currently has a D- rating. In March, the state scored a B.

> Many non-profit organizations are trying to stay afloat after "social distancing" restrictions have led to canceled or postponed events. Kathleen Ruddy, the chief executive officer of St. Baldrick's Foundation, a charity which raises money to fight childhood cancer, says St. Baldrick's as well as many other fundraising organizations fear that their ability to advance critical causes will fall far short of goals.

> Today, more Fort Bragg soldiers left for New York to support FEMA in their fight against COVID-19. New York City is considered the center of the coronavirus pandemic in the US and needs all the help it can get. To make room in hospitals for critical patients, the Javits Convention Center in New York City has been turned into the nation's largest hospital, with at least 2,500 beds and 40 intensive care units and ventilators.

> With store shelves empty and many cleaning products like hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes in short supply, some consumers have started making their own chemicals at home -- but medical professionals warn this comes with risks.