RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN/WAVY/WNCT) — As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase in North Carolina — and residents abide by a stay-at-home order that started Monday evening — Gov. Roy Cooper announced another step to help families by prohibiting utilities from disconnecting people who are unable to pay during this pandemic.
There are at least 1,498 COVID-19 cases and eight deaths reported in North Carolina, according to numbers the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released Tuesday morning.
Tuesday’s order, announced in a press conference Tuesday afternoon, 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.
“This action is particularly important since tomorrow is the first of the month, and I know that’s a date many families fear when they can’t make ends meet,” Cooper said. “These protections will help families stay in their homes and keep vital services like electricity, water, and communications going as we stay at home.”
Additionally, the order encourages banks not to charge customers for overdraft fees, late fees, and other penalties.
Landlords are strongly encouraged in the order to follow the spirit of Chief Justice Cheri Beasley’s order and delay any evictions that are already entered in the court system.
Governor Cooper was joined by Attorney General Josh Stein to announce the order and he thanked companies that have already voluntarily announced policies to prevent shutoffs, including Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, AT&T, and local electric co-ops, among many others.
Tuesday’s order follows the Governor’s stay-at-home order, which is in effect until April 29.
Read the full order here.
NCDHHS is reporting that 157 patients are currently hospitalized due to coronavirus and 23,106 tests have been completed.
The number of reported COVID-19 cases across the state was at 935 on Saturday, 1,167 by Sunday evening and at least 1,307 on Monday.
Mecklenburg, Wake and Durham counties have the most COVID-19 cases in the state. Mecklenburg County leads the state in coronavirus cases with at least 420. One death has been reported in Mecklenburg County, but no deaths have been reported in Durham or Wake.
Here is the latest breakdown of cases in the WAVY TV 10 viewing area:
- Bertie Co: 6
- Currituck: 1
- Dare Co: 0**
- Hertford Co: 4
- Northampton Co: 30
- Pasquotank Co: 4
- Perquimans: 1
Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statewide “stay-at-home” order that took effect at 5 p.m. on Monday as the virus continues to spread across North Carolina.
** A case in Dare County does not show up on the North Carolina Department of Health website as a Dare County case because the person used an address in a different locality when they were tested, according to a news release. Details: https://www.wavy.com/news/north-carolina/obx/dare-county-confirms-first-case-of-covid-19/
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