May 5. By Dave Yochum. Today’s report from the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services indicates that the number of COVID-19 cases rose 3.4 percent overnight, from 11,848 yesterday to 12,256 as of 11 am today.

Meanwhile, the state appears to be moving toward the first phase of a reopening, with the stay-at-home order set to expire Friday afternoon—and positive tests coming back at a slower rate.

The statewide death toll from COVID-19 was 452 this morning, up 5.1 percent from 430 yesterday.

NCDHHS reported 151,800 completed tests and 534 people hospitalized.

Gov. Roy Cooper says information about reopening with specifics around testing, tracing, and trends is coming today or tomorrow.

Phase One reopening will include loosening restrictions around travel, shopping and restaurants.

The governor says North Carolinians have made “tremendous sacrifices and it is making a difference” in the fight against COVID-19.

The overall picture is mixed—testing and cases are increasing—but it looks like trends may be stable enough to move into the first phase of a three-stage plan to reopen North Carolina.

The rate of new positive tests is decreasing.

Positive results are coming in at around 7 percent (see chart) vs. 17 percent in mid-April.

Once coronavirus-related hospitalizations and cases decrease or come to a “sustained leveling,” the governor said he would begin the first phase.

We are in “Phase 0” of re-opening.

Re-opening decisions are based on:

—Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness Surveillance Over 14 Days.

—Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days.

—Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days.

—Sustained Leveling or Decreased Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days.

—Building capacity for response

—Laboratory testing

—Tracing capability

—Personal Protective Equipment

To view the NCDHHS tracking click here.