“Staggering” record of 7,540 new coronavirus cases set Friday in North Carolina

Courtesy Community Health Inc.

North Carolina set another new daily record for new cases of COVID-19 on Friday of 7,540, which state health officials say can be blamed in part on residents gathering over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The new mark comes on the same day that an updated executive order from Gov. Roy Cooper with measures intended to ease the spread of the coronavirus goes into effect at 10 p.m.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy K. Cohen issued a statement on the record set on Friday:

Having more than 7,500 cases is staggering and alarming. We are now seeing the impact of Thanksgiving gatherings.

Do not wait until it is you or your loved one sick or alone in the hospital or you are facing the loss of a loved one to wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, and wash your hands often.

Act now. Please ask yourself what you can do to help slow the spread of this virus and save lives.

I want to remind everyone that our Modified Stay at Home Order goes into effect tonight.

This order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Businesses including restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, most retail stores and more, will be required to close by 10 p.m.

In addition, all onsite alcohol consumption sales must end by 9 p.m.

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Sam Walker was news director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, Big 94.5 WCMS and Z 92.3 from August 2011 to March 2022.