RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday the extension of the stay-at-home order through May 8.
The statewide stay-at-home order began on March 30 and originally would have ended on April 29.
Cooper said state leaders want to see more downward trends for coronavirus cases, deaths, and hospitalizations before restrictions can be lifted.
NCDHHS Dr. Mandy Cohen said more testing and tracing are needed throughout the state in order to better determine the trends.
Cohen said we still want to see a decrease or a sustained leveling in the number of cases, as well as a decrease in the percentage of positive tests.
"We have flattened the curve, but we are not there quite yet," Cohen said.
As of Thursday, more than 7,600 people in the state have contracted coronavirus, and 253 people have died.
This is a breaking news story. Stick with WFMY News 2 for updates.