Gov. Roy Cooper held a press conference on Monday (November 23) to address the rising number of coronavirus cases in the state. Over the last week, North Carolina has broken records for COVID-19 cases, reporting its highest single-day increase on Sunday with 4,514 new cases.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said the rising numbers are "much higher" than they want them to be. Additionally, the state has its highest number of coronavirus hospitalizations with more than 1,600 patients being treated.

"We have higher numbers of people being admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 and our highest numbers of people in the ICU for COVID-19. Our hospitals are starting to feel the strain," read a NCDHHS statement. "With the first vaccine being submitted for authorization, there is light at the end of the tunnel, but we. have important work to do right now to slow the spread of the virus and save lives."

To help address the rise in cases, Gov. Cooper extended his executive order mandating facial coverings. As such, businesses are asked to increase enforcement of the mask mandate as well as capacity restrictions inside businesses. Masks must also be worn while indoors with anyone not in the same household and outdoors whenever distancing is not possible. Law enforcement will also be allowed to issue citations for those not following the mandate.

He previously limited public and private gatherings to 10 people and introduced a county alert system to show the level of cases in each of North Carolina's counties. In the week since debut the system, the number of counties in the "red" has doubled."

Cooper believes that enforcing the rules that are already in place will help "stem the tide" of rising cases without have to move back into tighter restrictions.

Cooper urged North Carolinians to follow guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that discourages traveling for Thanksgiving. While he is hopeful that potential vaccines mean the country is close to "the other side of the pandemic," he said the safety measures in the state will help save lives.

"If we can keep it up just a bit longer, we can ensure that more loves ones make it to next Thanksgiving," said Cooper.

The full press conference is available to watch on WRAL.

Photo: Getty Images

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