As we begin a new week, here is a snapshot of the virus in the counties that make up the 7th District:
Bladen County: 674 cases, 9 deaths
Brunswick County: 1,358 cases, 23 deaths
Columbus County: 1,040 cases, 50 deaths
Duplin County: 2,060 cases, 49 deaths
Johnston County: 3,618 cases, 49 deaths
New Hanover County: 2,846 cases, 21 deaths
Pender County: 740 cases, 4 deaths
Sampson County: 1,558 cases, 20 deaths
Wayne County: 2,681 cases, 46 deaths
Statewide, North Carolina has had a total of 156,396 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,535 deaths. As of today, 948 individuals are currently hospitalized – down from a peak of 1,236 last month.
You can always find the most up-to-date statistics on the virus at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ website here.
Important news out of the Food and Drug Administration: The FDA announced that it is authorizing investigational convalescent plasma for the treatment of COVID-19. This is an encouraging step forward as our medical experts continue to learn more about the virus and ways we can treat it.
FEMA has approved North Carolina’s application for funding under the Lost Wages Assistance program, which will allow North Carolina to pay out $300 a week to recipients of unemployment insurance in addition to the state’s usual unemployment payments. It’s the result of President Trump’s executive order earlier this month to provide relief for workers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak after Congress failed to reach an agreement on additional relief.