Gov. Cooper To Announce School Plan Tuesday: How To Watch

NORTH CAROLINA — The long awaited question about whether children will return to classrooms when the school year resumes next month or begin the year logged on virtually will soon be settled. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to announce the state's plan for how schools will reopen amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, July 14 at 3 p.m.

Last month, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued interim guidance for K-12 public schools to help school districts prepare for three possible scenarios: resuming with minimum social distancing, resuming with moderate social distancing or resuming with remote learning only.

As of Monday afternoon, there were 87,528 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in North Carolina, and 1,510 deaths, according to data provided by North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services. At least 1,040 patients were receiving medical care for the virus in hospitals.

Don't miss the latest coronavirus updates from health and government officials in North Carolina. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.

Nearly half of 317 recently surveyed Patch readers believe it's too soon for North Carolina schools to reopen for the new academic year amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to an informal Patch survey taken earlier this month.

Cooper's press briefing will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, and may be watched here.

SEE ALSO:

• Readers Say Too Soon For NC Schools To Safely Reopen: Survey
• New COVID-19 Guidance Outlines How NC Schools Could Reopen