State officials are cautiously optimistic North Carolina will be able to begin lifting the statewide restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus outbreak.

During a media briefing Thursday, Gov. Roy Cooper said North Carolinians have made “tremendous sacrifices”during the pandemic, and those steps are working.  While the governor also noted there are warning signs ahead, Cooper says he remains hopeful that North Carolina may be able to move into Phase 1 of lifting the restrictions next week.  Cooper says residents must remain vigilant and keep following the guidelines.  Gov. Cooper’s “Stay-At-Home” executive order is currently set to expire May 8th.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen says some of the trends are moving in the right direction with fewer people getting sick with COVID-19 at the same time.  However, on Thursday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 561 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, the highest daily increase in positive cases.  As of Thursday, there are 10,509 positive cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina.  378 of those cases have resulted in death.

Mike Sprayberry, Director of North Carolina Emergency Management, says the state’s 9-1-1 centers are receiving too many calls reporting people violating the “Stay-At-Home” order and/or social distancing standards.  Sprayberry reminds that you should only call 9-1-1 to report an emergency.