North Wake News

Wake County board of commissioners Chairman Greg Ford signed a proclamation that will extend the stay-at-home order through April 30.

"While we're making good progress to flatten the COVID-19 curve in our community, we haven't hit our peak caseload yet, so it's too early to lift our stay-at-home restrictions," Chairman Greg Ford told Patch. "However,  we understand how challenging this is – particularly for businesses –  which is why this extension includes provisions to help the local  economy while enabling us to save lives."

Under the proclamation, businesses are allowed to operate by taking telephone or online orders and fulfilling them through curbside pickup or delivery. Employees who are within six feet of each other must wear face masks and employers must screen employees daily for symptoms, sending home those who exhibit symptoms. Customers are not allowed to enter any business that is not essential.

The proclamation also allows funeral services to take place as long as attendance is less than 25 people and social distancing requirements are met. 

Faith-based institutions are urged to continue hosting services online but are now permitted to hold drive-in worship services. 

Data show that social distancing requirements and the stay-at-home order are helping to slow the spread of coronavirus. The doubling rate has gone from every three-and-a-half days to every eight days between March 17 and April 8. Projections show that residents must continue in this fashion to further slow the spread and not overwhelm the hospital system. 

Wake County officials reevaluate the situation daily and are considering lessons learned from other communities, nationally and globally, as they evaluate how long the stay-at-home order will be in place.