ASHEVILLE - As of 11 a.m. May 18, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services tallied 19,023 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state.
NCDHHS counted 661 deaths statewide, up two since the May 17 figures were reported.
The state reports 42 new cases in Buncombe County on May 18, a 31% increase from the May 15 numbers for a total of 174 cases in Buncombe.
Five people had died in Buncombe from COVID-19.
The state reported 287 cases and 38 deaths in Henderson County.
Avery remained the only county in the state with no reported confirmed cases.
COVID-19 cases in other Western North Carolina counties, according to state counts:
- Cherokee: 17 cases, 1 death.
- Clay: 5 cases, 0 deaths.
- Graham: 2 cases, 0 deaths.
- Haywood: 26 cases, 0 deaths.
- Jackson: 24 cases, 1 death.
- Macon: 5 cases, 1 death.
- Madison: 2 cases, 0 deaths.
- McDowell: 32 cases, 1 death.
- Mitchell: 8 cases, 0 deaths.
- Polk: 31 cases, 3 deaths.
- Swain: 6 cases, 0 deaths.
- Transylvania: 7 cases, 0 deaths.
- Watauga: 11 cases, 0 deaths.
- Yancey: 10 cases, 0 deaths.
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5th Buncombe death, 1st in long-term care facility
Buncombe County public health officials announced the death in a May 18 briefing, but declined to provide the name of the facility or any details on the individual.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services currently lists four ongoing outbreaks in Buncombe County nursing homes. The state defines an outbreak as two or more cases within 28 days.
NCDHHS releases the names of all long-term care facilities with ongoing outbreaks, as well as case counts categorized by staff and residents, on Mondays and Thursdays by 4 p.m.
More: Coronavirus: Buncombe reports first death in long term care facility
Rise N Shine Cafe opened against state order, cited by the police
A Merrimon Avenue cafe defied state orders and offered dine-in services over the weekend, culminating in a citation from the Asheville Police Department on May 18.
A post on the Reopen NC Facebook page shows the owner of Rise N Shine with her arm around Ashley Smith, an activist leading the push to reopen North Carolina businesses ordered closed to stem the spread of coronavirus.
More: Rise N Shine Cafe reopened over the weekend, despite COVID-19 restrictions
Buncombe cases jump 31%
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 42 additional cases of lab-confirmed COVID-19 in Buncombe County on May 18.
That's a 31% increase since the May 15 figures were released, for a total of 176 in the county.
The state also saw its highest day-over-day increase to the case count this weekend — 863 new cases were added to the tally on May 16.
NCDHHS secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said expanded access to testing is a contributor to these rising numbers on the state level — but emphasized that the move to Phase 1 also likely played a role.
"Folks are moving around more — they're going out to shop, they're taking time to enjoy the outdoors," Cohen said. "And with more movement, there's more chance for this virus to spread."
More: Coronavirus: Buncombe County COVID-19 cases jump 31%
A different kind of graduation
Owen seniors were greeted by faculty as they picked up their graduation materials May 15. See images from the day in photographer Angela Wilhelm's gallery below.
Despite pandemic, Asheville's real estate market strong
It's probably way too early to say Asheville's residential real estate market is pandemic-proof, but it seems to be emerging from the COVID-19 scare with maybe a mild cough and some lingering aches.
John Boyle takes a deep dive into the data and the expert predictions on how the virus may affect home buyers and sellers in the area.
More: Despite coronavirus pandemic, Asheville's residential real estate market remains strong
NC identifies 'good causes' to refuse to return to work
As Phase I of Gov. Roy Cooper's plan to gradually relax COVID-19 restrictions allows more businesses to operate, more North Carolinians have gotten the call that it's time to go back to work.
But what about workers whose health conditions put them at higher risk from COVID-19? And people who can't work without child care? Or those who receive more from unemployment benefits than their full-time job?
Read more on North Carolina's 'good cause(s) to refuse to return to work.'
More: I don't feel safe going back to work. Can I still collect unemployment in North Carolina?
Pisgah National Forest partially reopens
Pisgah National Forest has begun reopening many trails and roads that had been closed due to coronavirus concerns. Popular areas that are being reopened include Catawba Falls and the Art Loeb Trail, though dispersed camping policies vary.
Read more about which of your favorite trails might now be accessible below.
More: Pisgah National Forest mostly reopens after coronavirus-related restrictions
Asheville nursing home employee tests positive for COVID-19
StoneCreek Health and Rehabilitation, a 120-bed nursing facility in South Asheville, confirmed a kitchen worker has tested positive for COVID-19.
The facility has tested five of its employees in the kitchen, according to StoneCreek's Executive Director, all of whom have tested negative.
Read more from Elizabeth Anne Brown about the facility below.
More: Coronavirus: Asheville nursing home kitchen worker positive for COVID-19
Free COVID-19 testing returns
Free viral testing for COVID-19 will return to Buncombe County on May 14, from 1-4 p.m. only.
Buncombe County residents who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be eligible for no-cost testing, regardless of their insurance status.
Read more about who qualifies and how to access testing below.
More: Coronavirus: Free county-sponsored testing returns May 12 and 14
Asheville artists find community, financial boon in art exchange
It's an art collector's dream — dozens of Asheville area artists have pledged to sell pieces for less than $200 each, and buy artwork from their contemporaries after selling a thousand dollars' worth of their own.
Jacqui Fehl, a mixed media artist with an art studio in the RAD, said she's sold pieces most every day using social media as a gallery.
“There’s never been a better time to be an art collector,” said Fehl, who has bought four or five works herself and who estimated that she has sold dozens of her own.
More: Among Asheville artists, a commitment to support one another during coronavirus pandemic
West Asheville hotel hosts homeless shelter with more freedom
Some of Asheville's most vulnerable have moved from Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville to individual rooms in a West Asheville hotel.
The city of Asheville will foot 25% of the bill for certain members of the homeless community to live at the Red Roof Inn during the pandemic, while FEMA will pick up the rest. Homeward Bound and a team of other non-profits will provide case management and medical care.
While participants couldn't leave and re-enter at Harrah's Center, the people sheltering at Red Roof Inn will be able to engage in "essential travel" and mingle in common areas, as long as social distancing is observed.
More: Coronavirus: West Asheville hotel hosts flexible quarantine shelter for homeless
Asheville City parks partially reopen
Parks and Recreation staff began the process of reopening City of Asheville Parks on May 8 after weeks of closures due to COVID-19.
Parks being reopened include dog parks, boat accesses, the fishing pond located at Azalea Park, the disc golf course at Richmond Hill Park and all parking lots associated with parks.
More: Coronavirus: Asheville City parks partially reopen
11th District runoff underway
Voting in a delayed Republican congressional runoff is now starting, as absentee ballots were being mailed out beginning May 8.
Lynda Bennett of Haywood County and Madison Cawthorn of Henderson County are facing off June 23 in the 11th District second primary that was pushed back because of the pandemic. They were the first- and second-place finishers in a crowded 11-way GOP March 3 primary.
The coronavirus has made for strange and limited campaigning that has happened mostly via social media.
More: Voting to start in Asheville, WNC congressional runoff after coronavirus delay
Making way for restaurants?
Hendersonville's Main Street could be closed to traffic on weekends so restaurants and downtown business would be able to expand their spaces outdoors for social distancing.
Times-News reporter Andrew Mundhenk reports that Hendersonville City Council was briefed Friday on the “Open Main Street/Love Hendo” plan drafted by the Downtown Hendersonville program, which would expand the footprint businesses would have to practice proper social distancing measures.
Closing Main Street would allow for restaurants to expand outside dining, and retail businesses would be able to set up spaces outdoors as well during Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday.
More: Hendersonville may close Main Street on weekends to expand retail, dining space
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