Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY COVID-19 Dial-In Media Availability Today at 2 p.m.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. and Director of NC Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry will be available today for a dial-in media briefing at 2 p.m. regarding COVID-19. Please see below for details on how to join the call.

First Individual in State Prison Custody Tests Positive for COVID-19

An offender at the minimum custody unit of the Caledonia Correctional Complex in Tillery has tested positive for coronavirus. This is the first positive test for the virus known as COVID-19 of an individual in custody at a North Carolina state prison.

Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order to Prohibit Utility Disconnections in the Wake of COVID-19

Governor Roy Cooper today announced another step to help families by prohibiting utilities from disconnecting people who are unable to pay during this pandemic. Today’s Order applies to electric, gas, water and wastewater services for the next 60 days. 

Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order to Get Equipment to Healthcare Workers, Schools, Local Governments

Today, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 122 to help schools and local governments access state surplus property to help bridge gaps during the response to COVID-19.

Governor Cooper Announces First COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits will be Paid This Week

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that the first payments for the unemployment claims related to coronavirus will begin going out this week.

Caroline Riddick-Taylor Named Warden at Caledonia Correctional

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Caroline Riddick-Taylor as the warden of the Caledonia Correctional Institution in Tillery.

Governor Cooper Announces Texting Tool to Access Food for Children

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that parents who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.

Governor Cooper Announces Statewide Stay at Home Order Until April 29

Governor Roy Cooper ordered the people in the state of North Carolina to stay at home for thirty days, until April 29, 2020, in another step to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No.

North Carolina State Trooper Dies in Traffic Collision


The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is mourning the loss of one of its members from a traffic collision in Wayne County.  

MEDIA ADVISORY: COVID-19 Dial-In Media Availability on Testing and Surveillance

State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore will be available to provide information and answer questions about the state's testing and surveillance of COVID-19 at 11 a.m on Monday, March 30. Please see below for details on how to join the call.