N.C. COVID-19 case count up to 63; OBX remains open to residents, property owners, and workers only

As of 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the state of North Carolina had a total of 63 cases of the novel Coronavirus, however, there were still no cases of COVID-19 reported on the Outer Banks in Dare, Currituck or Hyde Counties.

The total number of cases on Tuesday morning in North Carolina was 40.

The majority of current cases are in the central part of the state, and specifically Wake County with 17 cases, and Mecklenburg County with 11 cases.

Craven, Onslow and Brunswick are still the only coastal North Carolina counties reporting cases of the Coronavirus, with one case reported in each county. As of Wednesday morning, no deaths have been reported from COVID-19 in North Carolina.

Many Dare County and Outer Banks facilities are closed, which includes Cape Hatteras National Seashore visitor facilities, the Nags Head DMV, county libraries, parks and recreation facilities, and the Fessenden Center. For a complete list of countywide closures, visit https://www.darenc.com/departments/health-human-services/coronavirus/coronavirus-cancellations-and-closures.

A number of restaurants on Hatteras Island have also closed or have switched to delivery / take-out service in response to a Tuesday Executive Order by Governor Roy Cooper to halt sit-down service at restaurants and bars. A Facebook group was recently formed to provide updates on closures, hours of operation, and take-out service for island restaurants.

On Tuesday at 2 p.m., the Dare County Control Group restricted visitor access to the county, and established checkpoints to only allow entry for residents, property owners, and non-resident employees of Dare County businesses.

In lieu of an entry permit, permanent residents of Dare and Currituck counties will be allowed entry with a valid N.C. driver’s license with a Dare or Currituck county address, or a government-issued identification card with a local address. This applies to those from Currituck County who need to enter Dare County to conduct business, work or attend medical appointments. No one from Dare or Currituck County will be denied entry with proper identification.

Non-resident property owners will be allowed entry with a current tax bill or parcel data sheet with matching current government-issued id or an entry permit with matching current government-issued identification.

Non-resident employees that need to work in Dare County may show documentation providing proof of employment such as pay stubs or employee identification badges with matching current government-issued identification.

In an effort to expedite traffic at the checkpoints, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office requests that all commercial traffic entering the county use the right lane and all regular traffic use the left lane.

The Island Free Press will continue to post updates as soon as they are available.