An offender at the minimum custody unit of the Caledonia Correctional Complex in Tillery has tested positive for coronavirus. This is the first positive test for the virus known as COVID-19 of an individual in custody at a North Carolina state prison.
“We have prepared long and hard for this day,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “This is not a surprise and we are following the infectious disease protocols we have in place for exactly this type of situation. Our top priority is the health and safety of our staff and the men and women in our care.”
Press Releases
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. and Director of NC Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry will be available today for a dial-in media briefing at 2 p.m. regarding COVID-19. Please see below for details on how to join the call. A live stream video feed will be available from a pool camera. In order to maintain social distancing guidelines and further prevent the spread of COVID-19, the media room at the State Emergency Operations Center will not be open for media to attend in person.
Governor Roy Cooper today announced another step to help families by prohibiting utilities from disconnecting people who are unable to pay during this pandemic. Today’s Order applies to electric, gas, water and wastewater services for the next 60 days.
The Order directs utilities to give residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills and prohibits them from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payment.
Telecommunication companies that provide phone, cable and internet services are strongly urged to follow these same rules.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 122 to help schools and local governments access state surplus property to help bridge gaps during the response to COVID-19. The Order also provides transfer or donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) that state government may have and not need.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that the first payments for the unemployment claims related to coronavirus will begin going out this week. The Division of Employment Security has received an unprecedented number of unemployment insurance claims since Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 118 on March 17.
Governor Roy Cooper announced today that parents who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.
After entering their address, parents will receive a text with the location and serving times for nearby pick-up and drive-thru free meal sites while schools are closed. Sites have been set up across the state for families with children ages 18 and younger, including preschool children, who rely on free and reduced-price meals at school.
Governor Roy Cooper ordered the people in the state of North Carolina to stay at home for thirty days, until April 29, 2020, in another step to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 takes effect on Monday, March 30 at 5:00 PM and reduces the size of gatherings to 10 people. The order provides for essential businesses to continue to operate while prioritizing social distancing measures. The order has the force of law and will be enforced in all 100 counties statewide.
The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Caroline Riddick-Taylor as the warden of the Caledonia Correctional Institution in Tillery.
She has served as the interim warden there since January.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore will be available to provide information and answer questions about the state's testing and surveillance of COVID-19 at 11 a.m on Monday, March 30. Please see below for details on how to join the call.
What: COVID-19 Testing and Surveillance Information Session
Who: State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore
When: Monday, March 30, 2020; 11 a.m.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is mourning the loss of one of its members from a traffic collision in Wayne County.
Trooper Nolan J. Sanders, a five-year veteran of the State Highway Patrol, was involved in a single vehicle collision while on duty in his assigned duty station of Troop C, District 2 (Wayne County).