ASHEVILLE - As of 10:45 a.m. May 9, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services tallied 14,360 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state. That's an increase of 492 cases, or 3.5%, from the May 8 numbers.
NCDHHS counted 544 deaths statewide, an increase of 17, or 3.2%, from the May 8 report.
Those numbers differ slightly from the Johns Hopkins University count shown in the graphic above.
Buncombe County reported 91 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of May 8. Four people had died in Buncombe from COVID-19.
Meanwhile, according to state counts, Henderson County had 224 cases and 27 deaths.
Avery County remained the only county in the state without a confirmed case.
COVID-19 cases in other Western North Carolina counties, according to state counts:
- Cherokee: 18 cases, 1 death.
- Clay: 5 cases, 0 deaths.
- Graham: 2 cases, 0 deaths.
- Haywood: 16 cases, 0 deaths.
- Jackson: 21 cases, 1 death.
- Macon: 3 cases, 1 death.
- Madison: 1 case, 0 deaths.
- McDowell: 29 cases, 1 death.
- Mitchell: 5 cases, 0 deaths.
- Polk: 29 cases, 0 deaths.
- Swain: 5 cases, 0 deaths.
- Transylvania: 7 cases, 0 deaths.
- Watauga: 9 cases, 0 deaths.
- Yancey: 7 cases, 0 deaths.
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NC Phase 1 is underway
North Carolina loosened some restrictions of its stay at home order Gov. Roy Cooper first put in place March 30 and then extended April 23. As of 5 p.m. May 8, the state entered Cooper's Phase 1 of a three-phase reopening plan.
Retail businesses are allowed to open at 50% capacity and will be required to see that customers are at least 6 feet apart, the release says. Businesses also will be required to screen workers for COVID-19 symptoms, perform frequent cleanings and provide hand sanitizer when available.
But many businesses will remain closed. Restaurants may not open for seated customers and may operate only in the capacity of takeout, drive-thru and delivery. Bars, gyms and personal care businesses, such as barber shops and hair salons, also will remain closed. Likewise, entertainment venues will stay closed.
More: Coronavirus: NC begins reopening May 8 with move into Gov. Cooper's Phase 1
Buncombe's Phase 1 also is underway
Buncombe County also entered Phase 1 of its reopening plan at 5 p.m. May 8, easing some of the restrictions of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order that began March 26.
Restrictions in Buncombe deviate from those in North Carolina regarding tourism through at least the first phase of the reopening process.
Mackenzie Wicker reports that for the time being, leisure travel to and within the county will be limited to Western North Carolina residents. Short term lodging facilities like hotels, campgrounds and Airbnbs can make reservations only for individuals who live in the 828 area code through May 22.
More: Coronavirus: Buncombe to enter Phase 1 of reopening May 8 alongside NC, with tourism limits
Many city and county parks are opening
"Buncombe County sees outdoor recreation as a core service to provide to our residents, so we are happy that our friends and neighbors will be able to access these unique and beautiful spaces responsibly with guidelines in place," said Josh O’Conner, director of Buncombe County Recreation Services.
Details on county parks from reporter Mackenzie Wicker: Coronavirus: Buncombe to reopen more public parks with limited hours
Meanwhile, city of Asheville parks began reopening May 8, according to a press release. This includes dog parks, boat accesses, the fishing pond located at Azalea Park, the disc golf course, and all parking lots associated with parks.
But, All playgrounds, bathrooms and buildings located within parks will remain closed. It will take staff some time to remove barricades and fencing to make all parks available to the public, the release said.
4 state parks in WNC are partially open
State parks in Western North Carolina that will partially reopen May 9, according to the NC State Parks website:
- Chimney Rock: Attraction, Rumbling Bald access, Eagle Rock access.
- Grandfather Mountain: Trails, restrooms.
- Lake James: Trails, restrooms, boat ramps.
- Mount Mitchell: Trails, restroom at park office.
"We're expecting record crowds despite the virus," North Carolina State Parks spokeswoman Katie Hall said.
Citizen Times photographer Angela Wilhelm is heading out to one or two of the parks to see what the crowds are like.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Anne Brown reports that Gorges State Park will reopen its trails and restrooms May 13, Hall said, while campgrounds, visitor centers and other shelters will remain closed.
Hall said Gorges State Park would be opening jointly with Pisgah National Forest. However, Adrianne Rubiaco, spokesperson for the Forest Service in North Carolina, said May 7 that the Forest Service is "reassessing trail closures" and "cannot speak to a specific reopening date at this time."
More: Coronavirus: Many state parks partially reopen May 9; Pisgah forest, Gorges on May 13
The Smokies also partially reopened
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced last week plans to reopen some popular roads and trails following a major shutdown due to COVID-19.
Casey Blake reported that "Beginning 5/9, the park will reopen many roads and trails," a post on the official Twitter feed of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park said.
The park has since given more details.
More: Coronavirus: Great Smoky Mountains National Park announces plans to reopen roads, trails
Stay safe, people!
Like many people, columnist John Boyle is itching to break out of the house and head to some outdoors recreation areas.
But Boyle recalls the words of Sgt. Phil Esterhaus on "Hill Street Blues": "Let's be careful out there."
"My concern is that we're all just going to collectively throw caution, and our masks, to the wind and not adhere to the rules, mainly because we've just got pandemic fatigue," Boyle writes.
"And while I'll get outdoors for sure, if the parking lots and trails are overwhelmed, I'll wait till later."
More: Boyle column: Seriously, 'Let's be careful out there'
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