Thread by @NC_Governor

Updates from Gov. Cooper's COVID-19 briefing:

https://twitter.com/NC_Governor/status/1362476573249703955

As of today, we have had 833,423 confirmed COVID-19 cases; 3,916 new cases reported since yesterday; 1,892 people in the hospital and sadly 10,766 who have died. Our prayers go out for those who have lost loved ones to this cruel virus.

We are encouraged to see our COVID-19 numbers declining and remaining stable. For the first time since late November, the number of people hospitalized in North Carolina due to the virus has dropped under 2,000.

We're tracking a decline in case numbers and seeing the state’s percent of positive cases go lower, though both are higher than we want to see. Day by day, NC is making progress. This is good news. We’ll be examining that and other data as we work on the next Executive Order.

We still must keep our guard up, as well as our masks, especially as more schools return to in-person instruction after our encouragement to do so 16 days ago. Keeping each other safe and keeping students and teachers in the classroom is a top priority.

It’s vitally important to wear masks and practice social distancing. We know that our safety measures work even as we are seeing more contagious variants of this virus out there. These actions can keep us safe until a vaccine is widely available.

North Carolina is continuing to distribute vaccines quickly, with nearly 2 million doses already administered. And we are seeing progress in our efforts to distribute vaccines equitably.

Last week, 23% of our allotted first doses were administered to Black North Carolinians. This is up from just 13% five weeks ago. I’m proud of our state’s work to give the vaccine quickly and equitably, and we will continue to expand these efforts.

Due to severe weather across the country, the CDC notified states across the country, including ours, that some vaccine shipments are delayed. This news is frustrating, but providers are working to get appointments scheduled and we're pushing to get more vaccine for our state.

I’d like to address the disruption so many of our students and families have felt from remote learning during this pandemic as well as our efforts to get students back in the classroom safely.

As of today, 91 of the 115 school districts have returned to in-person learning. By mid-March, 95% of our school districts plan to provide in-person instruction. This'll serve 96% of the state’s students. Many are going back because we've encouraged local school systems to do so.

We know in-person learning can be held safely with proper health measures. I'm joining state education leaders to encourage districts to take this step. However, it is critical that parents and teachers have confidence that their health and safety will remain a priority.

I've communicated with legislative leaders that I can sign legislation requiring all school districts to return to the classroom if it requires compliance with DHHS health safety guidance for schools and protects the ability of state and local leaders to respond to emergencies.

The bill that legislators just passed fails on both of these fronts. I will continue to discuss potential new legislation with General Assembly leaders before taking action on the bill I now have on my desk. It is critical for our students and teachers that we get this right.

Today’s ice storm brought down trees and power lines, leaving thousands in the dark and with more ice on the way. As of 1:25 pm, there were nearly 23,000 without power. Most of the ice concern is in the west and northern Piedmont.

With rainfall expected this afternoon and evening, there is a serious threat for river flooding and flash flooding in the eastern half of the state. This is especially true at the Tar River near Greenville and the Lumber River near Lumberton. We must take this weather seriously.

I declared an emergency to allow repair crews from out of state to quickly help communities who lost power. I activated 40 @NCNationalGuard members to assist with tree and debris removal. @NCDOT is working to clear roads. NCDOT and @NCSHP ask you to stay off roads in icy areas.

Today’s icy weather and rain follows another storm this week, with a deadly tornado touching down in Brunswick County late Monday night. Yesterday, I visited there, and our prayers go out to those who lost loved ones or who were injured in this storm.

The tornado caused significant damage, even demolishing some homes. I heard harrowing stories from survivors who were glad to be alive. The state will marshal all available resources to help people recover.

Right now, Emergency Management is assessing the damages to determine what kind of additional assistance may be available. Also, people in Southeastern North Carolina should be on the lookout for more potential severe weather later today.

I want to thank our first responders, emergency managers, law enforcement, utility workers and others across the state who keep us safe. They have worked tirelessly to help get people to safety and already have begun repairing the damage. I am grateful for their resilience.

As we face the aftermath of a tornado and winter storms across the country – on top of a pandemic – many of us may be feeling worn down. Our state has experienced a lot of challenges. But North Carolinians are resilient. When we get knocked down, we get back up.

And I know that if we continue to work together and keep each other safe, we will get through this. And we will build back stronger than we were before.