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From the Council Office of Steve Rao
February 22, 2021
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Travel to India: New travel restrictions effective from Feb 22, 2021 |
Under the new rules, only passengers who test negative in RT-PCR tests 72 hours ahead of departure will be allowed to board the aircraft. The exception will be passengers who are traveling because of a death in the family.
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United States Hits 500,000 Covid 19 Deaths, more die from Covid 19, than WWI, WWII and Vietnam.
President Biden will host candlelight vigil this evening.
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Covid 19 Testing in Morrisville |
Wake County will be offering Covid 19 Testing at Morrisville next week at Morrisville Community Park.
Testing will be “no appointment necessary” and will be managed by onsite Wake County staff.
Wake County will be conducting COVID testing at Morrisville Community Park (1520 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560), next week, March 1-7, on the following schedule:
- Monday 11 – 4
- Tue – Sat 8:30 – 4
- Sunday 11 – 4
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Wake County Approves More Testing in Cary at Wake Med Soccer Park
(See Wake County Testing Section)
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Teachers, child care workers and other educational support staff--like custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers--can start signing up for COVID-19 vaccines today., which begin on Feb 24th. The group includes about 240,000 people in North Carolina.
(See Vaccination Section for Updates)
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The Wake County Health Department Mass Vaccination at PNC Arena is open for appointments.
(See Vaccination Section for More Details on Wake County Vaccination Site and how to set up appointment.)
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Covid Vaccine Town Hall with Congressman David Price |
Feb 18th Covid Vaccine Town Hall with Congressman David Price
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Town of Cary Black History Event |
Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday the Town of Cary Virtual Black History Event, hosted by Tru Pettigrew, and a remarkable panel where we discussed the Call to Action to help us Build Bridges.
Kudos to the Bridge Builder of the Year Award Winners:
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First Responder of the Year: Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck Brown
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Educator of the Year: Colin Richardson
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Student of the Year Award Winner: Bianca Munoz (UNC Charlotte)
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Austin Lewis Award: Cary Council Member, Lori Bush
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My Thoughts on the Land Use Plan |
Tomorrow, evening, we plan to Vote on the Land Use Plan. I will be sharing a Position Paper next week on my Vision for Morrisville, and how the Land Use Plan can help us execute on that Vision.
First, I want to thank the staff for their hard work, and to the citizens and businesses across all of Morrisville, who have shared their input. Over the past few months, I have read many emails, and received calls, where there is repeated concerns about upzoning.
Please remember that adopting a Land Use Plan and rezoning are different issues, and we can deny rezonings on a case by case by case basis to make sure that we can catch up with the demands on our school and transportation infrastructure. We can also place conditions on developers and partner with them to invest more in transportation, parks, and also control the quality of development.
My goal is to be a true LIVE, WORK AND PLAY Community, where all of us can Live Connected and Live Well.
We continue to recruit and grow the top Tech and Life Science companies to the Town. 10 percent of all Public Companies in North Carolina are headquartered in Morrisville, including Lenovo, Cisco, Channel Advisor, and Syneos Health, and of course, we landed Microsoft last year. Employees can not only work in Morrisville, but also Live here, and walk to transit, and experience the connection to beautiful greenways.
One Shared Vision for One Morrisville is how we will continue to be the best place to Live, Work, and Play in Country and World.
Thanks to all of you for being so engaged, and let us continue to ensure that the Mosaic of Morrisville can be all that she can be.
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Morrisville Carpenter Road Project Update |
For the week of February 22, drivers should expect to see construction activities along Morrisville Carpenter Road between Misty Groves Circle, Town Hall Drive, and Franklin Upchurch Sr Street.
Be prepared for flagging operations from 9 am to 4 pm. Traffic patterns will remain the same near the Morrisville Carpenter Road and Town Hall Drive intersection.
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Imagine Morrisville Listening Sessions/
Focus Groups
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Over the next few weeks, I will be putting together listening sessions and Focus Groups across the Town with the Business Community, Neighborhoods, Technology Leaders/CEOs, and entrepreneurs, to to develop a Long Term Vision for the Town, as I look to continue to serve in my Seat or another role on the Council.
It is time to imagine what Morrisville can be, and to develop a Play Book so we can be the Number One Town to Live, Work, and Play in!
Please email me to sr@steverao.com to set up a Listening Session. Let’s Imagine Morrisville Together and develop our playbook together. It is time to win Championships! We can be the Champions of the World! |
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Celebrating a Decade in Morrisville with Movers and Shakers with Jeevan Puri.
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Biden Pushes forward with Stimulus but faces Hurdles.
Biden Proposes Changes to Paycheck Protection Program: The changes include a 2-week window for businesses with fewer than 20 employees, which begins on Wednesday. The changes also emphasize equity, by approving $1 billion in loans for businesses owned by women and people of color. The program is not expected to be extended past March 31.
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The North Carolina General Assembly passes Back to Classroom Bill, called In-Person Learning Choice for Families, which requires state schools to offer some sort of in-person learning option amid the ongoing pandemic.
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WAKE COUNTY TESTING SITE IN CARY Feb 22- Feb 27 |
As four permanent COVID-19 testing sites continue to serve thousands of people each day, Wake County is partnering with Cary to offer a testing site closer to those of us living in Morrisville, Cary, and Apex.
These convenient drive-thru sites make it easy for residents who live in these communities to get tested. All sites are free, and residents do not need an appointment, insurance or ID.
Wake County will offer testing from Monday, Feb. 22, through Sunday, Feb. 28, at :
The hours for testing are:
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Monday, Feb. 22
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Tuesday, Feb. 23, through Saturday, Feb. 27
- 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Sunday, Feb. 28
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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The $1.9 trillion Stimulus Package is expected to pass the Democratic- controlled House of Representatives, but faces several Hurdles. Over the next week, it must clear several panels in the House before it can pass the full House with a simple majority vote. The Bill is up for consideration in the House Budget Committee today and the House Rules Committee takes it up later in the week. Neither panel is expected to alter the bill.
If the Bill passes the House, it goes to the Senate, where the Chamber could amend the Bill and would send it back to the House for another Vote. Republicans supported a $618 billion and oppose billions of aid to state and local governments. Senator Joe Manchin opposes the $15.00 minimum wage and also opposed the confirmation of Neera Tanden for Director, Office of Management and Budget.
Democrats plan to pass the package by mid March when a federal boost to unemployment benefits expires.
Legislation includes:
- $1400.00 checks for Americans earning $75,000 or less, or $2800.00 for couples, earning $150,000 or less, plus $1400.00 per dependent.
- Renewal of the Paycheck Protection Program for small business loans.
- Enhanced food aid benefits for families.
- Funding for Schools to Re Open
- Restaurant Relief
- Funding for Transit and Airports
- An extension of a $400.00/week boost to federal unemployment benefits
- An expansion of the Child Tax Credit, including an increase to $3600.00 per child and a shift to it being delivered as a monthly payment.
- Expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Funding for Vaccine Distribution
- Expansion of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act for health insurance
- Expansion of health insurance for the Unemployed through Cobra Health Insurance Law Subsidies
- An Increase in the Federal Min. Wage to $15.00
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BIDEN IMMIGRATION PLAN MOVES TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE |
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My WRAL Op Ed on Immigration:
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Today, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 in the Senate and the House, a comprehensive immigration reform bill that includes reforms to our legal immigration system and a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants.
As a Member of the New American Economy, I support this bill because I am convinced that this kind of legislation will provide much needed relief and certainty for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers, and so many other undocumented immigrants who have already spent years as contributing members of their communities and drive economic growth.
But Congress needs to hear from you: Please email and call your Congressional and Senate Representatives to support this Bill! It is time for a better, smarter, and more human immigration system that strengthens our economy through jobs and innovation!
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BIDEN IMMIGRATION UPDATE WITH JEREMY ROBBINS, CEO, NEW AMERICAN ECONOMY - Feb 26 12:30PM |
Please join me on Friday at 12:30 pm for our Discussion of the Biden Immigration Plan with Jeremy Robbins, CEO of New American Economy.
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Details on MAFC Operations |
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center reopened on Monday, February 15, 2021. The decision to reopen our facility was based on the continued stabilization of COVID-19 metrics, distribution and availability of vaccinations in Wake County, and Wake County Public School System’s return to in-person instruction.
Memberships and SignUp Genius
- The freeze placed on all month pass and punch pass memberships will be lifted, thus extending whatever your original expiration date was by 35 days. This will give you adequate time to use your existing membership before having to renew again.
- SignUp Genius will go live for Monday, February 15, one week ahead on Monday, February 8. At that point, our normal schedule of SignUp Genius slots becoming available one week in advance will resume.
Fitness
- Group fitness classes will pick up upon our reopening, with some fun, new classes added to the schedule! Visit our website to see the full schedule and corresponding class descriptions.
- Water aerobics classes will be reduced to a maximum of five people for added safety, due to the inability of participants to wear masks in the water.
- Our free pickleball clinic that was originally to be held on January 13 will be postponed until further notice. Those who were registered will be contacted with the new date as soon as one is confirmed by USA Pickleball.
- Karate participants who were affected by our closure will be automatically re-enrolled into the new course that is set to begin on March 2.
- Doors throughout the facility, including those in the cardio area, will be opened to promote cross-ventilation. This area will be cooler than usual for the foreseeable future, so please plan accordingly.
Aquatics
- Doors throughout the facility, including the pool exit doors, will be opened to promote cross-ventilation. The air temperature at the pool will be cooler for the foreseeable future, so please plan accordingly.
Health and Safety
- Face coverings are required at all times inside the facility, including during exercise and when using the locker room. They may only be removed for showering and swimming and must be worn immediately before and after these activities.
- Face coverings must be covering your nose and mouth at all times.
- We will continue to close twice daily on weekdays, and once daily on weekends, to complete a robust sanitization of the facility. The cleaning times are noted in SignUp Genius.
As we prepare to reopen, we implore you to be exceedingly vigilant and compliant when it comes to visiting our facility. As always, we expect all members to abide by the 3Ws – wearing a face covering, washing hands and waiting six feet apart – and to stay home if you are particularly high risk, feeling sick or have had an exposure.
By showing courtesy and respect for one another at MAFC, we can do our part to slow the spread AND provide our community with a safe place to exercise, interact and have fun.
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PHASE 3 Vaccination Begins on Feb. 24. |
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. have outlined a timeline for Group 3 frontline workers becoming eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, beginning with anyone working in child care or in PreK – 12 schools on February 24.
Because vaccine supply continues to be limited and the Group 3 population of frontline essential workers is so large, the state needs to move to the next group gradually. Those working in child care and schools, such as teachers, bus and van drivers, custodial and maintenance staff, and food service workers, will be eligible first. This includes staff in child care centers and homes, Head Start Programs, Preschool and PreK programs, traditional public schools, charter schools and private schools.
States must vaccinate people in groups due to limited supply. North Carolina is currently vaccinating people in Groups 1 and 2, which include health care workers, long-term care staff and residents and people 65 and older. In the coming weeks, providers will continue to vaccinate these groups. More than 40 percent of North Carolina’s residents 65 and older have been vaccinated.
Under the timeline outlined today, the state plans to move to additional frontline workers on March 10th.
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Wake County: Wake County Public Health Vaccine Hotline 919-250-1515. It is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit website at https://covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine!
Duke Raleigh Hospital at (19) 620- 5167.
Process is to Call or visit website, join the waiting list, receive notification, and get your Vaccination Appointment!
Walgreens will offer Covid 19 Vaccine in 300 Stores (31,200 doses) in North Carolina starting on Feb 12 as a distributor under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and is planning to distribute 1 million doses of the Moderna Vaccine. For more information, sign up at walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19. Morrisville Walgreens is taking appointments at 3601 Davis Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560 and call (919) 468-6880.
(See Wake County Mass Vaccination Information Below)
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Wake County Mass Vaccination AT PNC Arena |
Alert: Mass Vaccination at PNC Arena will be closed Feb 18th due to the Winter Ice Storm
Wake County Public Health is collaborating with UNC Health, Duke, and Wake Med to launch a mass vaccination site starting Feb. 11. And the site will be open six days per week. at PNC Arena, the home of the Carolina Hurricanes and NC State University Men’s Basketball, agreed to turn its 8,000-space parking lot into an appointment only drive-thru vaccine clinic.
The site will begin with two days of vaccinations next week, with the goal of inviting more than 2,100 health care workers and those 65 and older from the county’s growing COVID-19 vaccine waitlist.
Appointments are required to receive a vaccination, and vaccinations will not be available without confirmation of a spot. Starting Friday, health care workers and those over 65 years of age, will be notified by email, phone and text.
- First link is to Enroll and sign up at https://covid-vaccine-portal.ncdhhs.gov/s/
- The second link is to make an appointment to receive the vaccine. Printing out appointment information or taking a screenshot on a smartphone will speed up the check-in process at the site.
In addition to the more than 2,000 appointments available at the new appointment only drive-thru site next week:
- 3,500 appointments will be made at the county’s two indoor locations (Wake County Public Health Center and the Wake County Commons Building).
- 200 vaccines will be administered by Wake County strike teams dispatched to long-term residents and staff.
- 800 vaccines will be delivered to historically marginalized populations by mobile strike teams heading out into the community.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
- Take Edwards Mill Bus 26 to the stop at Edwards Mill Road at Trinity Road Northbound; or
- Take Blue Ridge Bus 27 to the stop at Blue Ridge Road at Westchase Boulevard Southbound
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North Carolina Covid 19 Relief Bill |
NC General Assembly back in Session:
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has signed a bill from state lawmakers that will distribute money approved by Congress for reopening schools, improving vaccine distribution and helping people pay their rent. Many parts of the proposal mirror that of a supplemental request of Cooper.
The COVID relief package Cooper signed includes another opportunity for parents to get $335 checks to help offset costs they’ve incurred associated with childcare and remote learning. Parents who missed the initial deadline will have another chance to apply for the check.
Cooper is also recommending a $695 million investment to address the state’s immediate needs for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cooper is recommending this as emergency recovery and resilience investments. The governor broke it down into three parts: defeating COVID, building back the economy and looking forward to building a more educated, skilled workforce.
In addition to the federal allocation plan, the governor recommends investing $695 million from the state’s General Fund to address other immediate needs.
Among the needs facing North Carolina businesses and people, the governor recommends addressing:
- $50 million for continued hazard duty pay for state employees on the frontlines of COVID-19, especially law enforcement and corrections personnel who face COVID-19 every day.
- $64.5 million for the replenishment of the North Carolina State Health Plan, which has incurred costs responding to COVID-19.
- $468 million for bonuses for educators and school personnel in public K-12 schools, community colleges and the university system. Educators were not a part of the raises approved in the last biennium for state employees. The governor is proposing one-time bonuses of $2,500 for teachers and principals, $1,500 for non-certified public school employees and $2,000 for employees with community colleges and universities.
- $30 million to extend high-speed internet to all corners of the state and other urgent connectivity initiatives, such as IT infrastructure, security for community colleges and enhancement of 35,000 hotspots used for education.
- $37 million to support small businesses that have suffered during the pandemic and often don’t have large cash reserves, including small business counseling, marketing for tourism and hospitality, ReTOOLNC program for historically underutilized businesses (HUBs), and the business loan program at Golden L.E.A.F.
- Expansion of state unemployment benefits, which are still among the lowest in the country. The governor says North Carolina should increase the maximum duration of benefits to 26 weeks and increase the maximum benefit from $350 to $500 per week.
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COOPER STAY AT HOME ORDER EXTENSION |
Governor Roy Cooper has the current modified Stay-At-Home order until Feb. 28 and plans to keep the eviction moratorium and statewide order allowing to-go mixed drinks sales in place through March.
In early December, Gov. Cooper announced the modified Stay-At-Home order, which was the first set of such restrictions since Memorial Day. The order was extended for three weeks in early January.
The order imposes measures closing non-essential businesses like gyms, restaurants and retail at 10 p.m. nightly, and allowing them to reopen at 5 a.m.
The restrictions also included moving the alcohol curfew to 9 p.m. Gov. Cooper extends the sale of to-go mixed drinks will be in effect until March 31. That order was originally issued on Dec. 22 and seeks to reduce the number of people gathering in bars while allowing businesses to increase revenue. |
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TOWN OF MORRISVILLE OPERATIONS AFFECTED BY STAY AT HOME ORDER |
The following changes to Town of Morrisville operations will be in place through February 28:
- Town of Morrisville offices will be closed to the public.
- Town Council and Advisory Committee Meetings will be completely virtual.
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center and Cedar Fork Community Center will reopen on Feb 15.
Morrisville residents who have non-emergency questions about issues specific to the Town of Morrisville can contact the Town’s Community Information Line at 919-463-7065 or by email at eoc@townofmorrisville.org.
Town leaders will continue to monitor the situation in coordination with the Wake County Public Health Division and the State of North Carolina.
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Please view our Political Commentary on PBS Carolina on Channel 4 from Sunday, Feb 21 on Black Issues.
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Check out NC Riot Diversity Events at
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Feb 23, SKEMA Business School Career Lecture |
Feb 23, SKEMA Business School Career Tuesdays Lecture with Dennis Kekas, NC State, Moderated by Steve Rao
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Feb. 23rd 2pm - Black History Month Fireside Chat |
Feb. 23, Black History Month Fireside Chat with Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker
Please join us on Tuesday, Feb 23 at 2 pm for our final Black History Month Virtual Fireside Chat with Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker, as he discusses systemic bias and racism in America, his perspectives on Leadership, and an update on Public Safety in Wake County.
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Feb 23th 6pm - Virtual Town Council Meeting |
Feb 23, Virtual Town Council Meeting 6 pm.
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FEB 25th 7- 8:30 pm FAITH COMMUNITIES SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY |
The N.C. Council of Churches in partnership with Triangle Interfaith Alliance (TIA) and the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA-NCC) invite you to join us for the 2021 Triangle Interfaith Alliance Annual Meeting: Faith Communities Supporting Democracy. The evening will begin with an introduction to the work of the N.C. Council of Churches, TIA, and MFSA-NCC, and ways you can engage in this work. Following this introduction will be a keynote address delivered by the Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, former President of the N.C. Council of Churches Governing Board and current President of the N.C. NAACP.
Come together with fellow people of faith and to learn how to mobilize, advocate, and stand-up for positive social change.
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Feb 26 - Feb 28th 2021 Virtual Town Council Retreat |
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Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio Mirchi for another update on local issues.
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.
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- For latest Covid 19 information, please dial 2-1-1 or 888- 892-1162.
- Get Updates by texting COVIDNC at 898211.
- For unemployment insurance, please visit NC Dept of Employment Security at https://des.nc.gov/.
- 1,446,740 NC citizens have applied for UI Benefits, 964,146 have been paid benefits, and $10 billion of benefits have been issued. Appeals of denied jobless benefits are taking many months.
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Apply for Wake Forward program at https://covid19.wakegov.com/wakeforward/.
North Carolina health officials are reporting 2,541 COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 842,637 since March 2020.
Throughout the state, 30 more have died from the virus. That brings the total to 10,926 deaths since the pandemic began.
There are 61 fewer patients in North Carolina hospitals from Saturday. This means 1,647 are currently being hospitalized for COVID-19.
The state's percent positive test rate is currently 6.2% up slightly from Saturday's 5.7%.
CASES:
2,133 Newly reported Cases
+ N.C. = 844,770 Cases (Deaths = 10,934)
+ 1,567 Hospitalized
+ 6.2% Positive Rate
+ Wake County = 72, 988 Cases (Deaths = 519)
+ Durham County = 21,1688 Cases (Deaths = 200)
+ Orange County = 7565 Cases (Deaths = 93)
+ US = 28.1 million Cases/5000,000 deaths
+ Completed Tests: 9,964,355
+ Worldwide = 111 million/2.46 million deaths
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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See what's happening on our social sites: |
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