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Gathered at the bottom of this page is WHQR's ongoing reporting and coverage on COVID-19. In addition, below is a list of other resources pertaining to the virus.For questions/concerns about COVID-19, call the NC Coronavirus Helpline at 1-866-462-3821. To find out about the availability of community resources, call 211 or visit nc211.orgFor Brunswick County, the COVID-19 Helpline is 910-253-2339. The email is coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov. New Hanover County's Helpline is 910-798-6800. National Resources Basic Protective Measures from the Coronavirus Coronavirus Myth Busters Coronavirus FAQs and Answers National Coronavirus Case Tracker Protecting Yourself and Your Family Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities International Travel Advisories Local ResourcesTesting in North Carolina State Case Count New Hanover County Updates and Info Brunswick County Updates and Info Pender County Updates and Info New Hanover Regional Medical Center Updates New Hanover Disaster Coalition Novant HealthDosher Memorial HospitalWAVE TransitWilmington HealthUNCWWHQR's Community Resources

Covid Numbers Dropping In NC As Mask Enforcement Steps Up

RLH
Governor Cooper asks people to report those who are not wearing masks in public spaces to management as law enforcement steps up compliance efforts.

Covid-19 trends in North Carolina are heading down, but state officials say the real test is coming soon. 

As colleges and universities welcome students back to school, law enforcement officials across the state will be watching closely.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper credits social distancing, the early shutdowns, a cautious re-opening, and face masks with bringing down the coronavirus numbers in North Carolina. 

 

There is a clear correlation between those measures, Cooper says, and North Carolina avoiding the spike now happening in other southern states.  That’s why people can expect to see increased enforcement of the mask mandate and limits on large gatherings.

 

"First, we are encouraging businesses to take control here.   We think this is good for not only the safety of their customers and their employees – but it’s also good business for them.  We’re encouraging people if you’re in a retail store and you see people not wearing masks or employees not wearing masks to tell the management… We want law enforcement to be more involved in this process."

But that doesn’t mean more arrests, says Cooper.  It’s more about public education and, if necessary, citations.  

 

Officials also say the number of daily Covid-19 tests is dropping.  That’s the one metric they’d like to see go up, especially now that the turnaround time for test results is usually about two to three days.  

Rachel hosts and produces CoastLine, an award-winning hourlong conversation featuring artists, humanitarians, scholars, and innovators in North Carolina. The show airs Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 pm on 91.3 FM WHQR Public Media. It's also available as a podcast; just search CoastLine WHQR. You can reach her at rachellh@whqr.org.