NCHA Applauds Statewide Shelter-in-Place Order

The North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) applauds Governor Roy Cooper’s decision to issue a statewide shelter-in-place order, which comes after healthcare leaders throughout the state called for the directive to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus across North Carolina.

“North Carolina’s hospitals and healthcare professionals are thankful for the governor’s leadership and his shelter-in-place order, which we believe will help change the trajectory of cases in our state,” said Steve Lawler, NCHA President & CEO. “We understand that such an order was not considered lightly, and we believe this is a vital step to immediately impact the spread of the virus. The Governor’s decision will not only help position our state’s healthcare system to be prepared for a surge of patients, but more importantly, it will also save lives.”

Concerns about the multiplying effect of social spread, as seen in other states, and the ability to safeguard staff, precious supplies, and resources, led NCHA to request the shelter-in-place order in a letter to Gov. Cooper on Monday. The letter echoed concerns shared by healthcare leaders across the state, from the CEOs of Atrium Health and Novant Health, who signed a joint letter to Mecklenburg County commissioners, to a joint public letter by the CEO of Vidant Health and the dean of East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine.

“We believe it will take at least two weeks following the shelter-in-place order for the number of cases in our state to decline,” Lawler said. “We cannot know exactly how soon this action will flatten the curve, because we don’t have the data to fully know the current level of infections. We appreciate Governor Cooper and other state, county, and local leaders across North Carolina for making decisions that will help us quickly overcome this pandemic. We are also forever grateful to all of our state’s healthcare workers for putting their lives on the line for our neighbors and communities.”

About NCHA

Founded in 1918, the North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is the united voice of the North Carolina healthcare community. Representing more than 130 hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other healthcare organizations, the NCHA works with our members to improve the health of North Carolina communities by advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships and by providing insights, services, support and education to expand access to high-quality, efficient, affordable and integrated healthcare for all North Carolinians.

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