With trends moving in the wrong direction across the state, Gov. Roy Cooper says North Carolina will remain paused in Phase 3 of its reopening plan for another three weeks.
The governor made the announcement during an online press briefing Wednesday.
Gov. Cooper says the state is working with county partners encouraging enhanced prevention efforts.
Wearing a mask or face covering continues to be urged as a critical way for slowing the spread of the disease.
As of Wednesday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports the state has recorded 250,592 total laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19.
4,032 of those cases have resulted in death.