NC COVID-19 Update: Cooper Responds To Trump Testing Positive

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina's number of known COVID-19 cases rose by 1,775 newly confirmed cases Friday, increasing the state's total number of cases to 214,684, according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services data.

The news comes as the state is set to relax restrictions Friday evening and hours after news broke that President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump both tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The president and his family were tested after White House adviser Hope Hicks was shown to be positive for the coronavirus just hours after traveling with the president. The president and his wife are now among more than 7.26 million Americans who have tested positive for the virus. More than 207,800 Americans have died.

North Carolina's Gov. Roy Cooper sent public well wishes to the Trumps, issuing a reminder about the importance of wearing a mask during the pandemic.

"We pray for a quick and complete recovery for President Trump and the First Lady," Cooper said. "This virus is highly contagious and can be deadly, and the best way to protect each other and ourselves is to wear masks, wash hands and stay distant to stop the spread."

Earlier this week, Cooper announced that a new "Phase 3" executive order will go into effect in North Carolina Oct. 2, allowing some outdoor and entertainment venues to reopen. Under the order, movie theaters, outdoor stadiums and amusement parks will be allowed to open with limited capacity.

The new "Phase 3" restrictions will go into effect Friday at 5 p.m. and remain in effect through Oct. 23.

SEE ALSO: NC To Move Into Phase 3 Friday: What You Need To Know

North Carolina's coronavirus death toll rose to 3,608 Friday, an increase of 29 lives lost to the virus since Thursday.

As of Friday, at least 921 patients were hospitalized for coronavirus in North Carolina, representing a decrease of 18 patients since Thursday.

An Oct. 2 survey of 97 percent of the state's hospitals reported that there were 5,281 empty staffed inpatient hospital beds and 521 empty staffed intensive care unit beds remaining in the state. Ventilators also remained in supply, according to the survey, with 2,481 available, DHHS said.

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As of Friday, there were 16 COVID-19 clusters reported in North Carolina schools and 11 active clusters at child care centers. DHHS defines a cluster as five or more lab-confirmed cases that are linked. As of Oct. 2, there were at least 163 positive COVID-19 cases associated with school clusters and at least 384 positive cases and three deaths associated with child care centers.

Globally, more than 34.4 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and more than 1 million people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Friday. In the United States, more than 7.2 million people have been infected and more than 208,000 people have died from COVID-19.

This article originally appeared on the Across North Carolina Patch