April 16. By Dave Yochum. Three more Mecklenburg residents have died from COVID-19, bringing the death count to 19, according to the Mecklenburg County Department of Health. That’s up from a total of 12 reported deaths as of Monday, 15 as of Tuesday and 16 by Wednesday. There are a total of 1,052 cases in Mecklenburg, up from 993 cases yesterday.

Mecklenburg County residents remain under a County Stay at Home Order and a State of North Carolina Stay at Home order. The looming, overwhelming nature of COVID-19 of three and four weeks ago has changed.

At 11 am Thursday statewide, there were 5,465 cases of COVID-19 and 131 deaths. As of 11 am Wednesday: 5,123 COVID-19 cases and 117 deaths.

Later peak

Novant and Atrium say they have enough capacity to handle COVID-19 patients, thanks to the impact of social distancing efforts, as well as strategic moves like postponing elective surgeries.

They originally planned a 3,000-bed field hospital at UNC-Charlotte, before revising the need downward to 600 beds.

Yesterday they said they had enough capacity to handle the expected increase in patients.

“It is important to note this trend could reverse quickly if social distancing is eased prematurely without supporting data,” Atrium and Novant CEOs said in a letter to County Manager Dena Diorio.

Mecklenburg Health Director Gibbie Harris said that the peak in COVID-19 cases locally is now projected to be sometime in late May or early June. That’s based on the effectiveness of social distancing and the mandatory stay at home order through April 29.

Mecklenburg County residents are under a County Stay at Home Order and a State of North Carolina Stay at Home order.

Both orders require residents to:

• Remain at home and avoid non-essential contact with others.
• Limit trips for groceries, gas, and other essentials.
• If you must go out, stay at least 6 feet from others at all times.

Parks, greenways and nature preserves are closed to vehicles.  You should not:

• Go to work unless you are providing essential services
• Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
• Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out
• Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home or other residential care facilities,
• Travel except for essential travel and activities